Danske Bank is on the move

Danske Bank is on the move

20 April 2016

DOWNPATRICK’S Danske Bank is planning to relocate to a new home.

Bank officials are seeking planning approval to redevelop a former Chinese restaurant almost directly opposite Danske’s current base at Market Street.

The bank’s lease on its existing two-storey premises — which is one of the most instantly recognisable buildings in the town centre — recently expired.

Permission is being sought to adapt the former restaurant to meet the needs of bank staff and customers, and Danske is also seeking approval for two new cash dispensing machines and new external signs.

Business owners in Market Street whose premises are close to the existing bank and the former restaurant have been informed about Danske’s proposal via the planning department’s neighbourhood notification scheme.

A Danske spokeswoman confirmed yesterday afternoon that the lease on the Market Street branch has expired.

“We can confirm that our current lease has expired so we are in negotiations with the landlord and looking at a number of potential new locations for the branch. No final decision has been made,” she added.

Councillor Dermot Curran believes many people will be sad if the bank relocates from such an iconic building in the heart of Downpatrick.

“Many will remember the Market Street building as home to the Northern Bank before it changed ownership in 2012. This particular building features on many old photographs of Downpatrick and I hope that if bank staff relocate, their current premises will not lie empty,” he continued.

“There are too many empty business premises in the town centre and this is an issue we need to address. It is important Danske remains in Downpatrick for the good of the town, its staff, customers and the economy.”

Councillor Curran added: “I hope the owners of the building will do everything they can to secure a new tenant to help retain the business vibrancy of this part of the town.”