9 Highgate

9 Highgate Kendal LA9 4DF (0345 734 5345) 54.3272396,-2.7472361

Currently a Barclays Bank branch, previously Martins Bank and before that Kendal Bank (see below).

Curwen, 1900 p35

Kendal Bank (Soutergate)
The present premises of the Kendal Bank stand upon the site of one of the last remnants of the old Butchers' Rows, which remained here in its primitive condition, with old-fashioned windows and oaken front, until demolished for this very substantial building erected in 1873. The open stalls or benches from which the Rows took the name, were arranged beneath pent roofs on both sides of Soutergate, those on the west almost down to the foot of All Hallows Lane. They continued as such till 1779, when the Old Shambles were built to accommodate the butchers, and Highgate was remodelled after the demolition of the New Biggin.
So long, however, as these stalls continued, the barbarous custom of bull-baiting prevailed, and the butchers seldom ventured to slay a bull unless it had been publicly baited. If any did so, he had to hang a sign-board out, by official order, with 'bull-beef' inscribed upon it, or burn a lighted lamp so long as any unbaited beef remained unsold, or in default be subject to a fine of 3s. 4d. However, in consequence of repeated accidents to those who ventured too near the maddened animal, the custom was suppressed by the Corporation in 1791.
Here is an extract from the account book of Robert Dixon and Joseph Symson, the Corporation Chamberlains:

Jany. 31 - Edward Williamson, butcher ... 0 3 4
Feby. 7 - Thomas Robinson, yeoman ... 0 3 4
Feby. 14 - Jonathan Ellworth, yeoman ... 0 3 4
Feby. 21 - Thomas Wilson, carrier ... 0 3 4
Feby. 28 - William Crookson, butcher ... 0 3 4
March 6 - A stranger for a Sizergh bull ... 0 3 4
March 13 - William Cookson, butcher ... 0 3 4
April 4 - Thomas Ward, butcher ... 0 3 4
The bull ring was formerly placed in a stone block on the top of the Beast banks, to which the poor animal was fastened by a rope running through a ring in it's nose. In this fashion, amid its dreadful bellowing, it was baited and bitten by savage dogs until exhausted. Large numbers assembled to witness this 'sport', their consciences relieved by the thought that the beef was thereby improved, an aging bull being deemed especially rough unless well baited before slaughtering. Taking hold of and shaking the bull-ring was tantamount to throwing down the gauntlet as a general challenge to a fight, and not infrequently and not infrequently the fairs and market days were signalised in this way by pugnacious fellows.
But to return from this digression to the site of the Bank. Next to the Country Club that now is, was a wide entry leading into a very steep lane known as Jackson, the wire drawer's Yard, and against this came the butcher's shop of Matthew Scarr, beneath its pent roof. As was usual, the windows were unglazed; each protected by two wooden shutters divided horizontally, so that the lower half could fall downwards to act as a table for the meat, whilst the upper half was hinged upwards against the ceiling, when not required to close the window for the night. The rooms above the shop were of the lath-and-plaster kind, so common in olden days - fortunately, not extinct yet - and the woodwork, rough-cast, and glazing of the ancient-looking windows gave the whole front a most picturesque appearance. Within, Miss Walker presided over the largest and most noted circulating library in the town. The terms for the use of the books was not so high as might have been expected at that remote period, being only twopence per volume for the week's loan; and there is every reason to believe that the library exercised a very powerful influence upon the reading portion of the inhabitants of Kendal for many years. Adjoining was the shop of George Lyon, one of the most fashionable boot and shoe makers of that day, over which Dolly Metcalf lived, but before her day it was the tennement where the Rev. Thomas Carter, D.D., Dean of Tuam, was born; and next again to this was the shop of James Webster, a tailor and draper, who, it is said, spoke with a voice reduced to the lowest whisper while above a certain Jackson had his abode. This dual kind of house was far more common in the last century than one can well imagine, and frequently it led to strange difficulties when any structural alterations were needed. A sale could not be effected without the consent of both owners.
The two first banking establishments in the town were both founded simultaneously on the 1st day of January, 1788, viz.: - 'Wakefield's Bank' in Stricklandgate, and 'Maude, Wilson & Crewdson's Bank' in Stramongate. in 1840 they were amalgamated under the title of 'The Bank of Liverpool, Limited'. For their earlier histories I must refer the reader to the old banking premises in Stricklandgate and Stramongate.
The credit of these Banks has from the first been of the highest order, financial crises have come and gone and left them unshaken. One of these, which occurred in 1826, it may be of interest to refer to. It was known as the 'paper panic', during which many flourishing banks throughout the country came to ruin. The two Kendal Banks, however, received the shock bravely; and I have in my possession an interesting advertisement, signed by the Mayor, Vicar, Senior Aldermen, and some 150 inhabitants, declaring: - 'our entire confidence in the stability of the two houses, and trust that they will continue the circulation of their notes for the accommodation of the public; and we pledge ourselves to receive the same in the regular course of business to any amount.' Indeed, tradition says that the farmers had a strong superstitious preference for a 'Jacky Wakefield note' over the sovereign gold itself.

The hand bill text was as follows:

KENDAL BANKS
We, the Undersigned Inhabitants of the Town of Kendal, having the most perfect confidence in the Stability of the Bank of Messrs. Wilson, Crewdson & Co., and also in that of Messrs. J. Wakefield & Sons, in consequence of the opulence and prudence of the Partners in the said firms, do voluntarily pledge ourselves not only to take their Notes in Payment, but also that we are willing to guarantee Money lodged in either of the said Banks to any Amount. As witness or hands this 13th Day of February, 1826.
Geo.Forrest, Mayor; John Pearson; Thos. Cookson & Son; ; Jos. Braithwaite; Robert Benson; Jos. & Jno. Atkinson; Thomas Reveley; Jas. Sinkonson; M. & R. Branthwaite; Isaac Rigge; Francis Webster; Zephaniah Banks; Thos. Harrison, Sur.; J. Hudson, Vicar; Anthony Yeates; George Yeates, A. Shepherd, Shaw End; John Newby; R. Greenhowe & Co.; Smith Wilson; Simpson & Ireland; T. Wilson & Sons; John Ireland; G. & M. Gibson; Thomas Greenhow; E. Tatham, Solicitor; T. H. Maude, Esq; James Gandy & Sons; I. & W. Wilson; Isaac Whitwell; Daniel Harrison; William Geldard; I. Wilson, Solicitor; John Gaskarth; Jonathan Hodgson; K. Ireland & Co.; Richard Rawes.
Printed by Tyras Redhead, Gazette Office, Kendal