Former bank will be converted into flats

The HSBC bank in Ashton closed down two years ago – now it will be turned into apartments.

The bank located on the corner of Stamford Street Central and Mill Lane in the town centre shut its doors in August 2023. It was one of the 114 HSBC branches that closed across the country.

People changing the way they bank and footfall being ‘at an all-time low’ were the reasons given by HSBC for the mass closures at the time.

Now the building will be converted into five new apartments. The applicant, Mr Ayokunle Alade, said this would comprise three one-bedroom apartments and the other two having two bedrooms.

The proposal will see very minimal work done to the outside of the building, with the four parking spaces being retained. This is to minimise the impact on the conservation area the building sits within.

Planning papers read: “The proposal is of a small scale with minimal external alterations. There will be no change to the character of the building or immediate area. As such, there will be no detrimental impact to the Heritage Assets.

“Indeed it is stated that the proposal comprises the positive reuse of this building, which in turn will positively impact the conservation area by preserving this important character building in perpetuity.”

Future residents would also be a stone’s throw away from Ashton town centre, its shops and all the public transport infrastructure the location offers.