Kenilworth's former HSBC is set to be brought back to life, as plans to turn it into two new businesses have been revealed.

Coventry-based Edmonds Jewellers has taken over the unit at The Square which has lay empty since August 2023 when the high street bank pulled out the town.

A major renovation project is already underway on site, with the building set to be divided into two.

One half will be taken over by Edmonds as it makes the move over from Cheylesmore, with the other half set to be let out to another company.

"I have been working in the business in Coventry for 38 years," business owner Carl Edmonds told Nub News. 

"Over that time we have continued to reinvent ourselves, and have traded successfully. 

"But the big reason for the move is we need more space for our online business; the trend has definitely shifted. 

"We also have a great opportunity to link with Pandora and bring the brand to the town. 

"And we have a chance to reinvent ourselves again - we are not just a jewellers, we are a jewellers with lifestyle."

HSBC has been closed since last August (image by James Smith)

Carl has been working on the designs for the former bank for the past six months, but admits moving from Coventry was a "massive decision for us".

He has been travelling across the country to see similar stores for inspiration, and says he has a very clear vision for how the Edmonds side of the building will look. 

And as work to rip out on the ground floor ahead of the "colossal" project gets underway, Carl explained his vision for Edmonds in Kenilworth.

An artist's impression of how the new shops will look (image supplied)

"You have got to stay modern, you have got to stay relevant, and you have got to respond to what the customers want," he said. 

"As well as Pandora and our other jewellery lines, we will be bringing in bags and scarves and a range of other accessories and services.

"We believe The Square and Warwick Road offers a fantastic shopping experience for the people of Kenilworth and we want to be part of that." 

"We see this as a really exciting opportunity and I have always wanted to do a shop fit myself from scratch."

An advert for the second unit is already in place in the window of the town centre unit, with enquiries already coming in.

Edmonds has already announced its Cheylesmore store is closing (image supplied)

"I want to add to the high street, I believe in retail - people may say I am mad," he added. 

"But I think if you offer an experience, you offer a great environment, people will come!

"It is immense. I walked down the road, I saw the empty unit and thought 'I can do something with that'. 

"It is a huge amount of work to do, but creating something from scratch is really exciting."

Local businesses can now enquire about the second unit (image by James Smith)

Work on a new website for the business is also underway, as the new Kenilworth base will provide space to expand the online part of the business.

Edmonds has already announced on social media it will be leaving Coventry - although a moving date is yet to be confirmed.

The post has received a huge number of supporting responses from customers and wellwishers.

"The response has been completely overwhelming," Carl explained. 

"People are saying 'Cheylesmore's loss, Kenilworth's gain'. 

"It is wonderful after 38 years of our service that people still want to come and see us. 

"We do believe we are going to bring a lot of customers from Coventry to Kenilworth.

"And we are just really excited to open the new shop."

The new shop will open later this year (image by James Smith)