A BANK is looking to open its first branch in Chester city centre.

Metro Bank had previously secured planning permission for the site in Foregate Street, between the junction with Frodsham Street and the former Wilko store, in 2019, but this was delayed due to the subsequent pandemic.

Now plans have been submitted to convert the currently vacant units on 23-25 Foregate street into a bank branch, with the creation of 25 new jobs.

It comes as the bank itself has announced a deal with investors to shore up its finances last weekend. The deal included a £325 million capital raise and £600 million in debt refinancing.

Metro Bank is one of the UK’s top 10 banks, with around 2.7 million customers and 76 branches across the UK, having launched its first branches in 2010 as a challenger to the established players.

In a covering letter for the application for the new Metro Bank branch in Chester, Planning Potential said: "Metro Bank are proud to be bucking the trend and opening new stores at a time when other banks are closing.

"Indeed, it is relevant to note the wider pressured facing the high street at present and the introduction of a new bank in the heart of Chester's town centre will also assist with town centre first principles and contributing towards the vitality and viability of the city."

Applicants noted there had previously been plans to convert upper floors of the building into residential apartments, which were approved last year. However, to date, the space has not been configured to residential use and has never been occupied as such. The applicants say the lawful use of the first and second floors of the building remain for commercial use.

As well as new signage for the building, an external ATM would be installed.

Should the plans be given the go-ahead, the branch would be the first in the North West outside of Liverpool and Manchester.