Shoppers in Mapperley are glad to hear of plans to transform a former bank. New plans have been put forward to divide the building, which used to house a Barclays Bank in Plains Road, Mapperley Top, into two new units.
The application was submitted to Gedling Borough Council on behalf of Matthew Smith, of Courtenay Investments Ltd. Further details about the units remain unclear - but the plans do involve adding a new delivery door to the back of the building.
The bank closed in July 2021, with Barclays citing that the number of transactions at the counter had gone down and more customers were using different methods to bank.
Which member of the Royal Family are you? Take our quiz
Some shoppers in the area gave their thoughts on what they'd like to see on the high street. Sharon Tillison, who is 49 and lives in Mapperley, said: “I think that Mapperley could do with another cafe or restaurant, we have a few I know but another could work well too.”
Ms Tillison, who works at a pharmacy, also said it was a shame the bank had closed. “I used this bank, it was very convenient. It was shocking when it closed down, it was also shocking when [cafe] Holy Cannoli closed down too, I went there all the time. I’m glad to hear that it could be turning into a new retail space.”
Mapperley resident Lewis Miller, 34, said: “I’m glad the place could be turning into something. I know how hard it is for business at the moment and try to shop independently where I can but there’s nothing Mapperley desperately needs which could fit in this small space.”
Full-time mum Tara Edwards, who is 33 and lives in St Ann’s., said: “There’s a Birds bakery next door so I wouldn’t say I’d like to see a cafe but a book shop may do well. I do remember this being a bank but everywhere, banks are closing so it was expected.”
As well as the Barclays branch, the Greggs bakery in Woodborough Road also closed in May 2021.
READ NEXT:
