OUR STORY
Midlands Bank, 2 Castle Street c. 1970 © HSBC archive
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In 1838, the premises on 2 Castle Street was established as London Joint City and Midlands Bank. Our beautiful building that we have today was built in 1921and began trading as a Midlands Bank two years later. In 1971, The Bank at 2 Castle Street was granted Grade II listed status by Historic England. Midlands Bank went on to become a member of HSBC Group and 2 Castle Street eventually began trading as such in 1999. |
A NEW START
In 2006, after 170 years of trading as a Bank, the premises closed permanently. The Bank remained untouched for the next 6 years.
In 2012, a group of 4 creatives - Rebecca Lyne, Christopher Parr, Ian and Donna Harvey - established Eyes Open CIC as a not-for-profit company driven to providing rural mid-Suffolk with inclusive access to the arts and learning. The team began leasing the The Bank along with significant renovations to transform the building into the Arts Centre it is today.
In 2006, after 170 years of trading as a Bank, the premises closed permanently. The Bank remained untouched for the next 6 years.
In 2012, a group of 4 creatives - Rebecca Lyne, Christopher Parr, Ian and Donna Harvey - established Eyes Open CIC as a not-for-profit company driven to providing rural mid-Suffolk with inclusive access to the arts and learning. The team began leasing the The Bank along with significant renovations to transform the building into the Arts Centre it is today.
With government funding and incredible donations from members of the community, Eyes Open CIC purchased The Bank on behalf of the community in 2015, ensuring the centre remained a safe, exciting and inspiring space for all to socialise and create.
The founding Directors parted ways in 2016, passing the CIC into new management. However, The Bank remains a unique and immersive venue where arts, music, learning and community co-exist.
