A former bank in Southport town centre could soon become a burger restaurant and takeaway, creating six new jobs.
The former Co-Operative Bank at 20 London Street has been empty since it closed on Monday, 6th June, 2016, one of several banks to close in Southport in recent years.
Smack Hamburgers has now submitted a planning application to convert the ground floor of the building from a bank to a restaurant / takeaway. The work would include alterations to the shop front and the erection of a ventilation duct to the rear.
The proposed opening hours would be 11am-11pm seven days a week, including Sundays and bank holidays.
The design work is being carried out by Muse Architects in Manchester.
In recent days, the site has become home to a pop-up art installation to support the regeneration of the area.
Hypha Studios, which is supported by Arts Council England, offered creatives the chance to make the most of the space from 17th January to 17th April 2022, with a public programme from 11th February.
The organisation has a vision of creating ‘leisure-led, cultural high streets of the future’.
It could soon be replaced by a new burger restaurant.
The property at 20 London Street had been advertised with Morgan Williams.
Describing the property online they said: “Formerly a bank, the interior comprises a large sales area with partitioned offices and wc and kitchen facilities at the rear, the basement is suitable for basic storage and is accessed via an internal stair.
“The frontage opens directly onto the public pavement and highway and to the rear is a small yard.
“The pitch is strong here with mainly national multiple neighbouring occupiers. It benefits from high pedestrian flow and passing vehicular traffic.
“Neighbouring occupiers in the immediate vicinity are predominantly banks and building Societies.”
The closure of the Co-Operative Bank in 2016 was part of a trend which has been happening since more customers started using online services.
Speaking at the time, Liam Coleman, Director Retail and Commercial Bank at The Co-operative Bank, said: “We have always been very clear about the need to reduce the branch network to a size that is consistent with a smaller, sustainable bank as part of our business plan to turn the bank around.
“Although, like all banks, we will need to keep our branch network under review as the switch to digital increases, this is the last stage of significant branch closures as part of the bank’s transformation.”
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