PLANS to convert a former bank into a restaurant have been unveiled – a year after it served its last customer.
Olivia Adams is seeking listed building consent to turn part of the old HSBC building at Lymington into an eatery, with tables on the ground floor and kitchens in the strong room.
It comes after plans to convert a former Barclays bank in Hythe into a community hub were approved by New Forest District Council.
Plans to axe the HSBC branches in Lymington and Ringwood were revealed in March 2022. Earlier this year it was announced that the Barclays branches in the two towns would also shut.
Plans to turn part of the former HSBC bank in Lymington into a restaurant have been submitted to New Forest District Council (Image: Newsquest.)
The HSBC branch in Lymington, which has stood empty since August last year, is part of the town’s Georgian high street.
A design and access statement outlining the restaurant proposal says the 18th century former townhouse was bought by what was then the Midland Bank in the early 1930s.
It adds: “The design seeks to bring the building back into use as a restaurant occupying the ground floor and basement of the former bank.
“The bank fixtures and fittings on the ground floor will be removed to reveal what remains of the historic core.
READ MORE: Hundreds of banks to close – leaving thousands of customers with access to an in-person branch
“The ground floor will accommodate the restaurant, servery area, and customer toilets. The preparation and storage areas will be in the basement area utilising the existing strong rooms.
“All repairs will be carried out in line with the principles for repair of historic buildings. The classical historic facade will be almost unchanged.”
Plans to turn the former Barclays bank branch in Hythe into a community hub have been approved by New Forest District Council (Image: Newsquest.)
The statement says new signs will reflect the building’s setting and the rear garden will be brought back into use.
Summing up, it adds: “The redundant bank building will be given a new purpose that benefits the community and will result in less than substantial harm to Lymington High Street.
“Any minor harm will be outweighed by the benefits that will be delivered. On balance, the significance of the heritage asset will be maintained.”
READ MORE: Former Barclays bank branch in Hythe set to become community hub after plans approved
The proposed conversion does not need planning permission, only listed building consent. Town councillors are recommending the district council to approve the scheme.
A letter that accompanies the application outlines a separate plan to turn the two upper floors into letting rooms.
It adds: “That change of use is not part of this application and will be the subject of applications for planning permission and listed building consent at some future stage.”
