For years it served a market town as a bank until it closed two years ago.

But now the former Halifax branch in Beccles could have a new lease of life as a bar after plans to change the use of the building were approved.

Matthew Mills and Cloe Nelson are going to name the business The Old Tap in Market Street when they open.

The plans were approved at an East Suffolk Council meeting last week, seven months after they were lodged.

The business owners will make "minor" internal adjustments to the grade II listed building to create space for a bar as well as put external signage up.

A street view of showing the location of the new barA street view of showing the location of the new bar (Image: Bruno Brown)

Plans say they are "sensitively designed" with caution to "preserve the character and appearance" of the building - which lies in the heart of the town's Conservation Area.

They also say that the bar would "create footfall" in the town centre for the benefit of other shops.

But as part of the agreement, there is a condition which prevents the playing of music and use of amplified equipment on the premises to "minimise disturbance" in the town centre.

The proposed operating hours would be 12pm to 11pm from Monday to Saturday and 12pm to 10pm on Sundays.

Beccles Town Council had no objections to the plans.

The Halifax bank branch in Beccles. The Halifax bank branch in Beccles. (Image: Google Maps)

However, one resident did object to the plans over concerns of increased noise, bin storage and anti-social behaviour.

Addressing the concerns over bin waste the council highlighted that these must be strictly monitored and not positioned on the road.

The applicants have three years to complete the makeover of the building before plans become invalid.

The former Halifax branch in the town has been vacant since the bank closed its doors in July 2022.