Plan approved to convert former Nationwide bank on Drapery into cafe with mezzanine level

The first stage of a plan to turn the former Nationwide bank on the Drapery in Northampton town centre into a cafe and flats has been given the green light.

Nationwide vacated the four-storey high street building on the corner of Mercer Row in 2019 and relocated to a unit on Abington Street.

Soon after, applicants A&D Mini Market applied to convert the first two stories of the bank into a cafe and convert the upper floors into flats.

Now, the plan to create the cafe has been approved by the borough council's planning board.

The new proposal would see the ground floor become an area for diners to eat and drink while construction work is planned to take place to create a mezzanine floor for additional seating.

The clients purchased the property back February before submitting the planning application in June.

Aside from establishing an independent business on the ground floor they also hope to convert the upper floors into six apartments.

A decision has not been made on the creation on the flats in the upper floors.