New corner shop proposed in ex-bank branch in Whitley Bay
Plans have been lodged to convert a former bank in Whitley Bay into a new corner shop.
An alcohol license has been lodged with North Tyneside Council for a prospective corner shop in the vacant ex-Barclays Bank on Park View, Whitley Bay.
Vitesh UK Limited has sought permission for a license to sell alcohol from 6am to 11pm Monday to Sunday.
The application calls for a license to start by March 13 this year. Designs for the new shop, drawn up by Booker LTD, also show various other sections devoted to food and other convenience items.
No council decision has yet been made on the licensing application.
The Barclays bank was scheduled for closure on December 1, 2023, following changing trends in personal finances. According to Barclays, only 13 customers were using the Whitley Bay branch as their only way to bank.
A total of 88% of people who used the branch also used online banking in 2021. The closure was, however, dubbed “frightening” by Whitley Bay councillor John O’Shea as it marked the fourth bank closure since December 2022.
Since then, some of the former units have been re-purposed, including the ex-HSBC on Whitley Road, which is now Dough Coffee House and Kitchen.
A previous planning application was accepted to convert the bank into a ground floor retail space and two new flats on the first floor.
The proposals were granted council permission in December 2024.
At the time, Whitley Bay North councillor Joe Kirwin said: “Anything that is going to create new offers and businesses in Whitley Bay needs to be welcomed. We need to examine the plans carefully, but it looks like an exciting addition to our already wonderful town.”