All change at the bank

A former historic bank in the centre of Stourbridge has been put on the market for restauranters to bid for to transform it into the latest eating place in the town.

The Old Bank on the corner of Coventry Street was snapped up last year by Adam Myers Investments. The company was given permission to change the use of the bank into a restaurant and wine bar, despite protests from residents and the town's MP, and workers are now putting finishing touches to the revamped building.

Now businesses are being invited to bid to open their restaurant at the site, a landmark spot in Stourbridge.

The property is up for let through Lex Allan Commercial and will cost whoever decides to take it on £42,500 a year in rent.

It will be able to offer up to 70 covers and can be used as a restaurant/wine bar.

The site also includes space for a first-floor office suite with rent at £16,500, a second-floor suite at £11,600 a year and a new lock-up shop in Coventry Street at £10,000 a year.

Rimskis Coffee Shop opposite The Old Bank is also up for sale through Lex Allan.

The popular tea room and coffee shop business based in Stourbridge's historic former Market Hall has been put up for sale for £35,000 goodwill plus rent which has not yet been announced.

Stuart Doolittle from Lex Allan said: "It is flying down there at the moment. That town square is going to become the focal point of the town when the restaurant opens. The coffee shop is directly opposite and already does very well."

Adam Myers Investments said its aim is to bring the landmark building back to life.

The building, which dominates the town square, had housed a bank since 1780.

It has stood empty since the Yorkshire Bank moved out in February 2006 and many feared it could be lost forever.

When the planning application went in for the site to be turned into a restaurant letters of objection were submitted by residents raising fears of anti-social behaviour, extra noise and traffic.

But development control committee chairman Councillor Tim Wright said the project "ticked all the right boxes."