Homes planned at former high street bank branch

Barclays closed its branch on King Street earlier this year

A former high street bank is set to be converted into town centre flats.

The former Barclays Bank building in King Street, South Shields, South Tyneside, has been sold to a private investor.

Regal Bifrons Properties plans to convert the building into 26 one-bedroom flats and studio apartments.

Director Daniel Goggins said the firm was attracted to the town because it had "huge untapped potential to become a vibrant centre".

The 12,410 sq ft (1,153 sq m) curved, sandstone building was built in the early 1800s and has frontages on King Street and Fowler Street.

It was put on the market earlier this year with an asking price of £375,000 but its final sale price has not been released.

Barclays closed the branch on 8 March and moved to the former Burton's retail unit on the same street.

South Shields' masterplan

Mr Goggins said the company's plans for the building aimed to fit in with South Tyneside Council's regeneration masterplan.

Its aim is to build homes, redevelop under-used sites and diversify the town centre.

"Over the course of the next three years we plan to deliver 250 new apartments in South Shields which will attract major retailers to the high street," Mr Goggins said.

The sale of the bank branch was brokered by Naylors Gavin Black.

Partner at the firm, Chris Pearson, said the property was one of the town's most "stunning and recognisable" buildings.

The conversion of the building is subject to planning permission.