The old NatWest building in Gillingham has been designated as a listed building by Historic England despite lying empty for nearly seven years.

The bank moved out of the landmark property at the junction of the High Street and Station Road in February 2014. The ground floor remains empty although the upper floors have been converted into seven bedsits. It is one of two places in the Gillingham area to be listed in 2020, the other being the remains of East Haimes House as a scheduled monument.

Historic England moved to designate the 120-year-old former NatWest bank as a Listed Grade II building citing a number of reasons. The building has “a well- proportioned composition and eye-catching design that achieves an assured street presence,” says a report.

It also “successfully combines classical styling which convey tradition, solidity and Baroque elements that lend it an air of grandeur.”
But despite its grand design, there has been no commercial taker to occupy the building, whose lease is due to expire in 2027.
The lease permits the building to be used as a shop or retail outlet, to serve food and drink or for professional services.

It is available to let through Avison Young, which says the current rent on the property is £19,887.50 per annum, an eye-watering amount given the number of empty shops on the High Street.
The bank was built in 1900- 1902 to the design of Bristol architect Sir George Oatley for the Stuckey Banking Company, which had been established in 1812.
Sir George built a number of banks for Stuckey’s as it expanded from Bristol into Somerset, including branches in Minehead and Bridgwater, which are also listed as Grade II.

The Gillingham building is understood to have cost £4,449 although this did not include office fittings. The bank manager then lived in, occupying the southern end of the building and upper floors.

Stuckey’s had 70 branches when it amalgamated with Parr’s Bank in 1909. This was followed by a merger with the London County and Westminster Bank. A further merger in 1970 resulted in the National Westminster Bank.

Despite lying empty since February 2014, internal photographs taken by Historic England show some original panelled doors, brass fittings, architrave and moulded cornices.
The old bank
becomes the fourth
building in the centre
of Gillingham to be
listed. There are now
15 listed properties
in the SP8 postcode
area, which includes Gillingham and
surrounding villages. Historic England
listed a total of 371 properties in 2020,
including Selfridges
in Oxford Street,
London and the
Radio City Tower in Liverpool.

Rebecca Barrett,
regional director at
Historic England in
the South West, said:
“Every year, Historic England works to protect the most significant historic sites across the country. Despite the challenges that the heritage sector has faced, 2020 has seen many brilliant additions and revisions to the list.”

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