As we look at the corner of High Street and Baxter Gate, we can see the magnificent HSBC building.

In around 1887, the York City and County Bank took the premises in the house on the corner of Baxter Gate and High Street.

Evidently the premises weren’t large enough because in 1895 the bank acquired all the property up to the Yorkshire Bank (Now Barclays), and proceeded to erect a new building to the design of Walter Brierley, of Demaine & Brierley, a firm of architects, based in York.

This was the first time that white Portland stone had been used in the town. It was built by William Anelay, whose building business was then based in Dockin Hill Road and Silver Street. They had previously built Rossington Hall and the Free Library on St George Gate.

The building is built in a baroque style, with the statuary and green copper clad dome, topped by the figure of the winged Mercury, the god of trade, and the date was added to the cast rainwater hoppers.

The building was an attractive addition to the town centre. When the bank was first built, it only occupied part of the ground floor. The Home and Colonial Tea Company, had a shop in Baxter Gate side, whilst there was a stockbroker’s office in High Street.

In 1912, The York City & County Bank amalgamated with the London Joint Stock Bank and later in 1921, the two London banks united with the cumbersome title of the London Joint City & Midland Bank. The bank later shortened it to the Midland Bank.

The bank expanded its banking space in the Baxter Gate corner building by taking in the shop and the ground floor office and concentrated its business there.

In 1992, it was taken over by the HSBC Bank.

Choose Your Media to Continue on the Trail

The HSBC bank stands on the corner of High Street and Baxter Gate. The next building on the town trail is the former Parkinsons building of Butterscotch fame, and more recently the Georgian Tea Rooms. This building is on the right-hand side of High Street, this audio clip will guide you to the next location.

After the HSBC, the next Listed Building is on the right, the Lloyds Bank, built in 1912 at 55 High Street, the original building was at one time the office of Robert Baxter, the solicitor to the Great Northern Railway Company. He was honoured for his role in bringing the railway to Doncaster.

On the left is Barclays Bank dated 1882, built by F Masters, he also built the Priory Place Post Office and a number of other buildings on the trail.

Again on the right is 52 High Street, a building built in 1794.

As we approach our next featured building, on the left are two buildings that are said to date back to the 16th century. A plaque has been installed on the building to commemorate this.

When you arrive at the next location, click the next button at the foot of the page to find out more about this interesting building.