A FORMER bank at the centre of Dunbar is on the market for £170,000.
The Bank of Scotland on the town’s High Street closed its doors in May – leaving the town without a bank.
Instead, customers are left with a journey to either Haddington or North Berwick for their nearest branch.
Sustaining Dunbar previously outlined hopes to purchase the High Street premises and create a community hub.
Philip Revell, from the community group, told the Courier: “It has been on the market now for the best part of a month or thereabouts.
“We have not managed to negotiate a deal with the bank and have to take our chances on the open market.
“We are developing a business plan and waiting to see what happens.”
The premises includes both the ground floor and basement of the three-storey building.
According to the marketing material: “The property benefits from a wide multi-windowed frontage, offering a generous sales accommodation to the front with storage space and staff kitchen and WC facilities to the rear.
“The basement provides ancillary storage accommodation.”
A for sale sign is now in place outside the bank.
The marketing material continues: “Dunbar is a popular seaside town located approximately 30 miles east of Edinburgh, benefitting from excellent access via the A1.
“High Street is a popular retail parade serving tourists and the resident population of around 10,500 persons.
“The subject property occupies a prominent position on the east side of the High Street.
“Nearby occupiers include Co-op, The Sweetie Bank, RNLI Shop and Ladbrokes.”
When Sustaining Dunbar previously revealed their hopes for the building, the idea was welcomed by the town’s community council.
Pippa Swan, chairwoman of the group, described it as “a marvellous idea” and said: “The need for co-working space has been identified for a very long time.
“Sustaining Dunbar tried to find a home for that project and if they are able to make it work in the Bank of Scotland that seems ideal.
“We get a win-win.”
Previously, the High Street was also home to a Royal Bank of Scotland and TSB.
The Royal Bank of Scotland branch closed in 2018 and is now home to The Sweetie Bank while TSB shut its doors in 2020 and became home to The Tipsy Truffle.
Bank of Scotland previously highlighted that falling footfall at the bank, with more customers using their mobile app or going online for their banking, had led them to the decision to close the branch.
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