A closed Kenilworth bank looks set to be given a new lease of life, after plans to turn it into a watch shop were given the green light.

Warwick District Council (WDC) has granted planning permission for new signs to be installed on the former Barclays bank on Warwick Road.

Plans show the signs would turn the premises into a shop for First Class Watches - which is run by James Moore Jewellers on the other side of the road.

Designs show the front of the shop would be fully glazed and the door would be moved centrally.

Changes will also include rendering part of the side wall which is brick currently.

"The proposed works are considered appropriate in their location, with numerous nearby units having a similar shop front and design," a WDC report said, signing off on the plans.

Plans for the new shopfront (image via planning application)

It added: "The proposal is considered acceptable and would not be harmful to the surrounding streetscene. 

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"Furthermore, there would be no unacceptable adverse impact on the amenity of nearby uses and residents. 

"For these reasons it is recommended that planning permission be granted."

The Warwick Road bank shut its doors to customers in January 2022, with Barclays saying only 15 customers used it exclusively.

The bank also said that cash deposits were down 59 per cent and counter transactions down 39 per cent in 2019-20 compared to 2017-18.

Since then the unit has been available to rent through Leamington Spa-based property agents EHB Reeves.

First Class Watches celebrated its 20th anniversary last year.

The new location will be the third site for James Moore and Co which took over the former King's Table Café unit on Warwick Road in 2021 to become a new office space and warehouse for First Class Watches.

See the full planning application here.

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