Former bank to become bar and holiday flats

The Victorian building housed a branch of the HSBC bank which closed in 2023

Plans to convert a former seaside town bank into a bar and restaurant have been approved, following letters of support from residents.

The proposal for 4-5 Baxtergate, a Grade II listed building built in Whitby in 1891, includes the creation of two holiday let flats on the upper floors.

Historic England said the building originally housed the York City and County Bank and was most recently a branch of HSBC.

Approving the scheme, North Yorkshire Council said any alterations undertaken as part of the renovation would be "outweighed by the public benefits of bringing a vacant building back into public use".

A planning application submitted to the council stated the renovation would include a floating mezzanine floor constructed within the former banking hall, which has a vaulted ceiling with ornate plaster mouldings.

Under the plans the bank's former strong room is also set to become a holding kitchen and cellar.

Reviewing the application, officials noted there would be a series of external alterations which would see a flat-roof extension replaced with "a steel staircase providing access to the self-contained flats".

Planners said the changes would not be "readily visible" as they would take place to the rear of the site and as such it was "considered that these alterations would preserve the interest of the listed building".

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the scheme was supported by Whitby Town Council.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.