A redundant bank building in Keswick town centre is set to be brought back to life based on a planning application that has been lodged with the Lake District National Park Authority.
Salford-based Ellis Brigham Ltd is proposing to replace the shop front of the vacant Barclays Bank building on the busy Market Square. A drawing submitted with the application of the proposed shop front bears the name Montbell, an outdoor clothing and equipment brand associated with Ellis Brigham Ltd.
Documents supporting the planning application say the proposal is to bring a redundant building back to life on the high street following the closure of Barclays Bank in April 2023.
The papers say that given the current trend within the banking world there is no prospect of there being a bank in residence in the foreseeable future. The plan is to reinvigorate the current empty property and have no adverse effect on the existing building.
Planning papers add that the proposal is to retain the existing stone façade and to remove the existing stainless steel, glass, Lakeland stone and install a glass and timber framed shop front and add a hanging sign. All works will be in keeping with neighbouring properties.
