Changes could be made to a historic town centre bank building that is set to be turned into flats.

The former Royal Bank of Scotland site on Deansgate is a grade II listed building and has been empty for nearly two years since the bank closed.

In July this year plans were put forward to create five new flats in the building and now another proposal has been made to install an internal staircase.

A heritage statement said: “Internally, the building will be divided to create residential separate units with shared entrance.

“The ground floor will remain in commercial use, subject to actual let.

Royal Bank of Scotland closed down in 2022Royal Bank of Scotland closed down in 2022 (Image: Newsquest)

“The proposed layout will retain the internal banking hall which is original with possible re-ordering of the later subdivide elements under the balcony.

“A new proposed staircase rising from the basement to the banking hall is proposed. For the most part, the ground floor and balcony will remain as it is

It added: “The existing plan layout has elements of original dividing walls.

“Although much altered in places, the proposals will retain many of these including chimney breasts and thereby retaining much of the original plan form.

New plans have been put forwardNew plans have been put forward (Image: G&T Architecture)

“The conversion to residential units does result in a number of new dividing walls and the loss of more modern dividing walls, mostly within the altered open plan meeting rooms.

“No new windows are proposed.”

The plans were lodged on Tuesday, August 27 this year and as well as installing the internal staircase will include infilling the existing doorway and walls to enclose the staircase.

Royal Bank of Scotland first announced in July of 2022 that it was planning to close its Deansgate branch in October of that year.

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At the time the company said that this was in response to more and more customers moving to mobile and online banking.

But staff were told at the time that they would be redeployed to NatWest branches.

Since then, the plans for the flats have been put forward but part of the building will still be used for commercial purposes.

Bolton Council will aim to decide whether to approve the plans for the internal staircase by Tuesday, October 22.