Bank closures: Bringing high street bank buildings back to life

The central location of many old banks is a big draw for business owners

When was the last time you stepped through the door of a local bank branch?

Perhaps you prefer to manage your finances face-to-face and visit high street banks regularly, or maybe you only bank online.

Either way, it is difficult to ignore the regular announcements of branch closures and subsequent job losses.

In early March, Bank of Ireland announced it will close 15 branches in Northern Ireland, which is more than half of its 28 branches currently operating in NI.

In February, Ulster Bank confirmed it will close down its Republic of Ireland business over the next few years.

Following bank closures, what becomes of the buildings, often grandiose facades in prominent positions?

While disused banks in some towns across Northern Ireland have remained vacant for years, residents of Rathfriland, County Down, have been particularly industrious in repurposing the buildings.

A decade ago there were four banks in the town, the last of which closed three years ago.

Rathfriland's former Bank of Ireland is set to house a cinema, the first in the town for 60 years

The former Danske Bank building now hosts charity events run by the Royal British Legion, the First Trust is used by a local solicitor's firm and the Ulster Bank is now a credit union.

Andy Peters runs the Rathfriland Regeneration Project and has salvaged the town's Bank of Ireland branch.

• Bank of Ireland to shut more than half NI branches

• Ulster Bank confirms Republic of Ireland closure

Although temporarily halted by the coronavirus pandemic, the premises on Church Square usually hosts a variety of community workshops, classes and performances.

Plans are in place to transform part of the building into a cinema, the first in Rathfriland for 60 years.

This former bank counter now houses a mixing desk for live music

Mr Peters feels it is important the building remains a community hub.

"The local community is working together to create a cultural centre here," he said.

"The focus at the moment is refurbishing the building and the garden will follow on after that - if it wasn't for the pandemic the whole thing would be up and running already."

Remnants of the building's banking past can still be found inside the premises and Mr Peters said some items have been useful in its renovation.

"The bank counter is still in place and we've recycled other discarded materials to turn it into the sound desk, controlling the PA system in the building."

Excellent soundproofing

Banking has always played a large role in Belfast's architectural identity and the city has several landmark buildings once occupied by banks.

The Merchant Hotel was built as an ornate headquarters for the Ulster Bank; the Bank Buildings on Royal Avenue, under restoration after a devastating fire in 2018, first opened as a bank in 1787 and is now occupied by a Primark store; the old Northern Bank building on Waring Street is now used for occasional art exhibitions and theatre performances.

Richard Lavery is artistic director at Accidental Theatre, a performing arts company now occupying the former Northern Bank building at Shaftsbury Square.

"There are two old bank vaults still intact in the basement, which we have converted into a recording and streaming studio," he said, adding the thick walls made for excellent soundproofing.

The building's city centre location was a large draw for the company, but Mr Lavery said it means scheduling performances can be challenging.

"Our very first show coincided with the Tour of the North and the first two hours were drowned out by passing marching bands," he said.

"We managed to work it into the performance - it was fine, but we've been more careful with our calendar since."

The 'deceptively large' Old Bank hotel on Belfast's Crumlin Road

Alan Flynn runs The Old Bank hotel on the Crumlin Road in Belfast and said the former Ulster Bank's deceptively large size made it an obvious choice for conversion.

"The original bank was on the ground floor and the manager lived in luxury upstairs with their family," he said.

"It's on four levels, including the underground vault, which gave us tremendous scope for return as a hotel."

Visitors to the building, which is currently being used as emergency accommodation by the NI Housing Executive, can still see the various vaults and large Chubb safe left behind when the bank vacated.

The Ulster Bank in Gortin was 'blown up, shot at and robbed on many occasions'

The former Ulster Bank in Gortin, County Tyrone, is now a bustling coffee shop, but the building has a tumultuous history.

Owner Graham Cooke said the Grade 2 listed premises was "blown up, shot at and robbed on many occasions" during its time as a bank.

The Northern Bank was the last tenant of the Assembly Rooms in Belfast which is now used for occasional exhibitions and theatre performances

Despite this, Mr Cooke said the building, built in 1845, has retained its character and renovations have been sympathetic.

The original night safe and bank manager's private office have been retained and Mr Cooke is currently making plans to transform the underground vault into a farm shop.

"It's perfect for our job," he said, adding the building has been "restored to its place at the heart of the community".