Work on Grade II listed former bank delayed by discovery of asbestos

The old Barclays Bank building in Loftus High Street is being turned into holiday letsThe old Barclays Bank building in Loftus High Street is being turned into holiday lets
The old Barclays Bank building in Loftus High Street is being turned into holiday lets
An asbestos find has delayed work to refurbish a grade two listed former bank building.

The three storey former Barclays Bank building in Loftus High Street was bought for £150,000 by Redcar and Cleveland Council.

The council said last year it wanted to bring back a form of banking or post office service and also provide high quality visitor accommodation for anyone staying in the town.

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The proposed development includes the creation of four self-contained flats on the first and second floors, which will be used as short-term holiday lets.

Following detailed investigations asbestos was identified within a post-war dated building extension which will have to be removed before any further work can take place.

A structural survey also identified the bank vault and connecting corridor as pulling away from the main structure of the building and requiring extensive underpinning.

This is due to be demolished.

MGL Demolition – which is also carrying out demolition of the former R-Kade indoor skate park in Redcar to make way for a new hotel – has been awarded the contract for the demolition and asbestos removal.

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Councillor Wayne Davies, cabinet member for economic development, said: “The work hasn’t begun yet. It was due to start in December, but I believe it won’t be until January.

“Residents won’t notice anything initially as it’s the main bank vault at the back that’s coming out.”

The local authority laid out plans over the summer to transform Loftus into a thriving market town, attracting new businesses and visitors, and is bidding for £8m from the Government’s Future High Streets fund.

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