How Norfolk's disappearing banks have been replaced

But what has become of these buildings once they have shut?

Whether it is swapping pounds for pizza or ATMs for fruit machines, here is a look at how Norfolk's banks have been transformed into new businesses.

1. Natwest, Norwich

Restaurant chain Cosy Club moved into the National Provincial Bank building in London Street, Norwich, in 2019.

Completed in 1925 and built specifically to be a bank, the building most recently housed NatWest, however, it was left vacant after the branch closed in 2017.

The new branch opened on the corner of Davey Place and Gentleman's Walk.

2. TSB, Swaffham

A Domino's is opening at the former TSB Bank building in Market Place, Swaffham

Plans were lodged in March this year to transform the former TSB Bank in Swaffham's Market Place into a Domino's restaurant.

This was approved and an opening date of June 5 was revealed this week.

3. HSBC, Thetford

The former HSBC building in Thetford is to become a gambling arcade (Image: Archant 2022)

The HSBC branch in King Street, Thetford, closed its doors in December 2020.

Despite hundreds of locals opposing the plans, councillors approved an application to convert the site into a gambling arcade in July 2022.

4. Lloyds, Attleborough

Domino's has opened at the former site of Attleborough's last bank (Image: Google)

It would seem former banks make an appealing proposition for Domino's, as another closed high street branch has been turned into a new takeaway for the food chain.

The takeaway at the previous Lloyds bank in Exchange Street opened its doors to customers on Monday.

5. London and Provincial Bank, Norwich

The Ivy moved into the former London and Provincial bank building in 2018 (Image: Archant)

The high-end restaurant chain, The Ivy, opened one of its brasseries in the city in 2018.

The beautiful building, made of Portland stone, was designed for the London and Provincial Bank - the name of which is still high up on the building.

It was Grade II listed in 1972 and while it was a Barclays bank in the 1980s, it was most recently home to the Gap clothing store.

The London and Provincial Bank merged with the London and South Western to form the London, Provincial and South Western Bank, which was taken over by Barclays in 1918.

6. Barclays, Wymondham

The Wymondham Barclays bank building could become a restaurant and coffee shop (Image: Google Maps)

Wymondham's Barclays branch in Market Place closed in April this year, with the market town also set to lose its HSBC branch this year.

Plans have been lodged to turn the now vacant building into a restaurant and coffee shop.

7. Gurney Bank, Norwich

The building was sold to Gurney Bank in 1779 but later became music venue Open (Image: Archant)

One of the most prominent buildings in Norwich, banker Barlett Gurney bought the premises in 1779 to set up the Gurney Bank.

In 1896, the Gurney Bank and 20 other smaller banks were amalgamated under the name of Barclay and Co.

The new bank soon outgrew the premises, and in 1926 a new building, the existing one, was designed with its distinctive, large banking hall.

At its peak, it was said to have the longest banking counter in the UK.

It became the regional headquarters of Barclays until it was sold to the Lind Trust in 2003.

It was transformed into Open, a music venue and community hub. But amid the difficulties of the pandemic, the organisation ceased and left the premises.

The Norwich University of Arts has since taken it over.