Lloyds Bank Could Expand Into Former Sports Store

A former sports shop in Wrexham town centre could be converted into bank space if planning proposals are passed.

In an application submitted to Wrexham Council, it is proposed that Lloyds Bank expands its business into the former JD Sports on Regent Street; a lot that has remained vacant since the sports store relocated to Eagles Meadow in 2008.

It is proposed that Lloyds Bank (which already occupies 26-28 Regent Street) use the building for meeting space, a cash delivery lobby and an ATM.

The bank employs 19 members of staff and has 11,000 customers per month.

The reason listed in the application for the expansion is due to the existing building becoming ‘too small to cater for customers and the company’.

Regarding the expansion into the former JD Sports, the application’s Design and Access Statement says: “Although now separate commercial units, the two premises appears to have been a single building with uniform shop front with attractive stone pilasters and detailed entablature.”

Externally there are no changes listed at present for the front of the building, however the Design and Access Statement notes: “Allowing the change of use allows an opportunity to improve the character of the area when external alterations are proposed.”

The application is expected to go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee at a later date.