Plans for tattoo studio at former bank approved

The former Barclays branch in Frome will be turned into a tattoo studio

The former Barclays bank building in Frome will be turned into a tattoo studio after plans were approved by Somerset Council.

The bank's branch, based at 18 Stony Street, closed to the public in August 2023.

Skull and Dagger Limited said it plans to make internal alterations only and will maintain the character and appearance of the area.

Frome Town Council raised no objection to the application at its planning committee meeting in January.

Frome lost three bank branches in 2023

Somerset Council has since granted planning permission.

Frome lost three bank branches in 2023, with Natwest and HSBC also leaving the Somerset town.

Residents set up "Prosper Frome" to explore setting up a financial hub.

However, in October 2023 the group revealed in a newsletter that the town was not eligible for an official banking hub because it still has a certain number of banks and ATM machines.

Banking hubs are being set up across the country in towns with few or no financial facilities.