Lymington: Go-ahead for plan to turn bank into restaurant

Civic chiefs have approved an application to convert the ground floor and basement of the old HSBC building in Lymington High Street.

The proposal to give the Grade II-listed building a new lease of life attracted almost 40 letters of support.

Andrew Turley of Brickfield Lane, Lymington, said: "We need this in Lymington. The town is stale, with the exception of a few venues, and life is pretty much non-existent in the High Street after 1800."

Plans to turn the former HSBC bank into a restaurant have been given the green light (Image: Newsquest.)

Katrina Farrar, of Harford Close, Lymington, added: "I think this is a great idea. Let's bring Lymington alive again."

Kim Krokosz, of Springfield Close, Lymington, said: "Sounds amazing, and just what Lymington needs. Let's keep Lymington High Street vibrant and fun for locals and tourists. So much better to have a full High Street than lots of empty units."

READ MORE: Every bank branch set to close in October, including Barclays, NatWest and Lloyds

The HSBC building has been vacant since the bank closed in August last year.

A design and access statement outlining the proposed conversion said the 18th century former townhouse was bought by what was then the Midland Bank in the early 1930s.

It added: "The bank fixtures and fittings on the ground floor will be removed to reveal what remains of the historic core.

Lymington has also lost its local branch of Barclays, which closed earlier this year (Image: Newsquest.)

"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.

"Repairs will be carried out in line with the principles for repair of historic buildings. The classical historic facade will be almost unchanged."

READ MORE: Application to turn part of Lymington bank building into town centre eatery

A New Forest District Council report said the facade dated from when the property became a bank.

It added: "The building was provided with a basement to accommodate the bank vaults. These remain in situ, with security fittings and doors, and provide significant evidence of the building's use through much of the 20th century.

"The change of use to a restaurant does not require planning permission.

"There is a need for the building to be altered internally and externally to facilitate the restaurant use and these works require listed building consent."

Plans to turn the former Barclays bank at Hythe into a place of worship have also been approved (Image: Newsquest.)

Earlier this year the council also approved plans to convert the former Barclays bank at Hythe into a place of worship.

The Barclays branch at Lymington closed several months ago and is still vacant.