Cocks Biddulph
Cocks Biddulph was an historic London banking partnership founded in 1757 and absorbed into larger British banking groups during the twentieth century.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Cocks Biddulph was a London banking business whose origins date to the partnership formed by James Cocks and Francis Biddulph in 1757. It belonged to the long-established tradition of private and partnership banking in London, in which banking houses operated under changing combinations of partners and names rather than under a single permanent corporate identity. The business moved to 43 Charing Cross in 1759, an address later redesignated as 16 Whitehall, and remained associated with that central London location for much of its history. The bank’s name changed repeatedly as partners entered, departed, or reorganized the partnership. It appeared as Biddulph and Cocks in 1763, followed by Biddulph, Cocks, Eliot and Praed in 1776; Biddulph Cocks and Ridge in 1792; Cocks, Cocks, Ridge and Biddulph in 1820; Cocks and Biddulph in 1827; Cocks, Biddulph and Co. in 1845; Biddulph, Cocks and Co. in 1860; and again Cocks, Biddulph and Co. in 1865. These successive forms reflect the partnership structure of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British banking and are important to the institution’s historical identity. During the late nineteenth century, Cocks Biddulph expanded through acquisitions. In 1886 it purchased the assets of Codd and Co., and in 1893 it acquired Hallett & Co Navy Agents. The latter transaction connected the bank with the wider historical field of agency and financial services associated with naval administration, although the available reference material does not provide a detailed description of the acquired businesses or the precise product range offered by the bank. Cocks Biddulph ceased to operate as an independent banking house after its acquisition by Bank of Liverpool and Martins Ltd on 30 December 1919. The acquiring organization became Martins Bank Limited in 1928, and the former Cocks Biddulph premises continued to be identified within the Martins network as London Cocks Biddulph. The branch was assigned sort code 11-00-20. This preserved the name as a location and banking identity even though control had passed to a larger institution. On 15 December 1969, Martins Bank became part of Barclays Bank Limited. The Whitehall branch was thereafter known as Whitehall Cocks Biddulph and used sort code 20-95-81. The premises eventually closed in 1997. After closure, the building was converted into a wine bar, marking the end of the site’s use as a banking branch. Cocks Biddulph is therefore best understood as a defunct historic bank name and branch identity rather than as a contemporary standalone financial-services brand.
History
Cocks Biddulph originated in London in 1757, when James Cocks and Francis Biddulph entered into a banking partnership. Two years later, the business relocated to 43 Charing Cross, an address later redesignated as 16 Whitehall. The Whitehall location became the enduring physical and historical reference point for the institution. Like many eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British banks organized as partnerships, the business operated under a succession of names reflecting changes in its partners. The name Biddulph and Cocks was recorded in 1763. By 1776 it had become Biddulph, Cocks, Eliot and Praed; later forms included Biddulph Cocks and Ridge, Cocks, Cocks, Ridge and Biddulph, and Cocks and Biddulph. The business used Cocks, Biddulph and Co. from 1845, Biddulph, Cocks and Co. from 1860, and again Cocks, Biddulph and Co. from 1865. The late nineteenth century brought expansion through acquisition. In 1886 the bank purchased the assets of Codd and Co. In 1893 it acquired Hallett & Co Navy Agents. The available historical account identifies these transactions but does not provide a detailed breakdown of the bank’s financial products, customer segments, or the operational integration of the acquired businesses. The independent history of Cocks Biddulph ended on 30 December 1919, when it was acquired by Bank of Liverpool and Martins Ltd. The bank subsequently became part of Martins Bank Limited in 1928. The former premises retained the Cocks Biddulph name within the Martins branch network as London Cocks Biddulph and carried sort code 11-00-20. A further institutional change occurred on 15 December 1969, when Martins Bank became part of Barclays Bank Limited. Under Barclays, the location was known as Whitehall Cocks Biddulph and used sort code 20-95-81. The Whitehall premises finally closed in 1997. The building was later converted into a wine bar, ending its use as a banking branch. The name survives primarily as a historical reference to an old London banking partnership, its Whitehall premises, and the institutional succession that carried the branch into Martins and then Barclays.
- 1997
Whitehall premises closed
[1]The former Whitehall banking premises closed and later became a wine bar.
- 1969
Transferred to Barclays
[1]The Martins organization became part of Barclays Bank Limited on 15 December 1969.
- 1928
Continued within Martins Bank
[1]After the creation of Martins Bank Limited, the former branch operated as London Cocks Biddulph.
- 1919
Acquired by Bank of Liverpool and Martins
[1]The bank was acquired on 30 December 1919, ending its existence as an independent banking partnership.
- 1893
Acquisition of Hallett & Co Navy Agents
[1]The bank acquired Hallett & Co Navy Agents during its late nineteenth-century expansion.
- 1886
Acquisition of Codd and Co. assets
[1]Cocks Biddulph acquired the assets of Codd and Co.
- 1759
Move to Charing Cross
[1]The bank moved to 43 Charing Cross, later redesignated 16 Whitehall.
- 1757
Banking partnership established
[1]James Cocks and Francis Biddulph formed the partnership that became Cocks Biddulph.
Products and positioning
An historic London banking house and later branch identity associated with private partnership banking and successive integration into larger British banking organizations.
Banking
Historic banking services
Cocks Biddulph was a historical London bank. The available reference identifies it as a banking partnership and later branch but does not specify a complete catalog of deposits, lending products, payments, or other services. Its activities should therefore be described generally as banking rather than assigned unsupported product details.
Brand decisions
1969
Transfer of Martins Bank to BarclaysM&ABackground
The former Cocks Biddulph branch was operating within Martins Bank when that institution became part of Barclays.
Action taken
Barclays Bank Limited assumed the relevant banking operations and retained the location under the name Whitehall Cocks Biddulph.
Aftermath
The branch continued under Barclays until the Whitehall premises closed in 1997.
1919
Accept acquisition by Bank of Liverpool and MartinsM&ABackground
Cocks Biddulph was an established London banking partnership when it was acquired on 30 December 1919.
Action taken
The business was absorbed by Bank of Liverpool and Martins Ltd rather than continuing as an independent bank.
Aftermath
The Cocks Biddulph identity continued as a branch designation within Martins Bank and later Barclays.
Recent events
- 1997
Whitehall branch closes[1]
Other
The Whitehall premises closed as a banking location and were subsequently converted into a wine bar.
- 1969
Whitehall Cocks Biddulph becomes part of Barclays[1]
M&A
On 15 December 1969, Martins Bank became part of Barclays Bank Limited, and the branch was known thereafter as Whitehall Cocks Biddulph.
- 1928
Cocks Biddulph identity continues under Martins Bank[1]
Other
Following the formation of Martins Bank Limited, the former premises operated within the network as London Cocks Biddulph.
- 1919
Bank is acquired by Bank of Liverpool and Martins[1]
M&A
On 30 December 1919, Cocks Biddulph was acquired by Bank of Liverpool and Martins Ltd and ceased to operate as an independent bank.
- 1893
Cocks Biddulph acquires Hallett & Co Navy Agents[1]
M&A
Cocks Biddulph acquired Hallett & Co Navy Agents as part of its late nineteenth-century expansion.
- 1886
Cocks Biddulph acquires assets of Codd and Co.[1]
M&A
The bank expanded during the late nineteenth century by purchasing the assets of Codd and Co.
- 1759
Bank moves to Charing Cross[1]
Other
The bank moved to 43 Charing Cross, an address later redesignated as 16 Whitehall.
- 1757
Cocks Biddulph partnership is formed in London[1]
Other
James Cocks and Francis Biddulph formed the banking partnership that became the basis of Cocks Biddulph.
Sources1 sources
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