Bar with bank vault planned in Nottinghamshire town where former branch has been empty for 6 years reports Joshua Hartley Senior reporter for Lincolnshire Live.

The Grade-II listed former Yorkshire Bank in The Square, Retford, could be transformed into a new bar under plans recently submitted to Bassetlaw District Council.

The Grade-II listed former Yorkshire Bank in The Square, Retford, could be transformed into a bar

A new bar could be set up in a historic bank that fell into a "poor state" during six years of vacancy. The Grade-II listed former Yorkshire Bank in The Square, Retford, could be transformed into a bar under plans recently submitted by applicant Christopher Dukes to Bassetlaw District Council.

The Yorkshire Bank closed in May 2017 and has remained empty since, with its interior now being in a "poor state of repair" according to planning documents. The traditional masonry structure, which was built in 1910, would be repaired and revamped to set up the new bar - named 'The Vault'.

The bar would be open every day and serve a variety of "delicious hot and cold meals, snacks, drinks and alcoholic beverages", subject to receiving an appropriate licence. The prospective operator added the bar would work "very closely" with Enigma Live Escape, which uses the rest of the building as an escape room venue, as they attract a large number of visitors to the town.

Mr Dukes said the only changes to the outside of the historic building would be new signage and repairs to a section of wall where the bank's cash machine was removed. He said the replacement brick work would create a "more pleasant appearance" in comparison to the "rusty metal and boarded up window" there currently.

A number of the bank's old features would be used to add to the "authentic ‘bank vault’ environment", designs show. The front section of the Yorkshire Bank customer service desk would remain and become part of the bar and a large walk-in safe would become the kitchen area.

The planning application is pending consideration by Bassetlaw District Council.