A former bank building on Royal Wootton Bassett High Street will reopen in summer 2023 as a collectable and investment coin shop.
The town's branch of Lloyds Bank closed its doors last year after being one of 66 earmarked for closure across the UK.
The historic Grade II Listed building will now become home to www.britanniacoincompany.com, an online retailer which offers rare and collectable coins.
The business currently occupies several display cabinets in a nearby Royal Wootton Bassett antique shop, but buoyant sales, demand for in-person shopping and the need for more space have prompted the move to larger premises.
Lloyds Bank's closure prompted calls from Royal Wootton Bassett residents for the building to be repurposed as a local banking hub, with several banks sharing the same premises.
The new owner and director of the coin company, Jon White, voiced his disappointment that this plan could not go ahead, and added: "When we bought the property, we offered Lloyds Bank the opportunity to continue operating from the space.
"When they declined, we assessed whether it would be suitable for the new banking hub. Unfortunately, the building's limited disabled access and available ground floor space meant it wouldn't be suitable.
"It is my understanding, however, that the banking hub working party are in advanced negotiations in relation to an alternative High Street premises, and we will hopefully hear some positive news on that front very soon.”
The Britannia Coin Company is among Mr White's business interests within the town. He was recently named Male Entrepreneur of the Year at the South West Business & Community Awards.
The coin company will join a growing portfolio of ventures centred on Royal Wootton Bassett's High Street. This includes the new auction house in the former Co-op supermarket building.
The £1.8m RWB Auctions project, which will create two auction rooms, a bistro and an art gallery, is being overseen by local developers R J Leighfield & Sons. The first general auctions are planned for this summer.
It is anticipated that the new auction house will generate 14 new jobs, while The Britannia Coin Company will soon begin recruiting locally for a range of retail and specialist positions.
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