A FORMER bank could be transformed into a cocktail bar and restaurant under exciting new plans.

Owners of the Sultana Indian Restaurant, in Wickford, have revealed plans to bring the empty Santander bank in the High Street back into use as the “ATM Cocktail bar, lounge and restaurant”.

According to the announcement on Facebook, they are hoping to open in “mid-2024” and they have already placed a banner on the empty site.

Owners have promised a cocktail bar, private dining room and VIP lounges as well as a music system with live music.

Wickford residents have welcomed the announcement.

Kelly Argent, 46, said: “I very much will be excited. I work in Headlines hairdressers next door and it’s definitely something that we will be looking forward to.

“Wickford hasn’t had something like this in the high street for a few years now and as a team we would love to go for local after-work drinks, like you can do in Billericay or Rayleigh high street.”

The team behind the new cocktail bar started “internal development” in the former Santander bank building in December, according to a recent Facebook post.

Taking to Facebook on Saturday, bosses posted a picture of a huge new banner on the outside of the building with the message “we wanted to let our customers know first hand”.

The bank closed in July 2021 and has remained empty since.

Wickford Castledon ward councillor, Don Morris, welcomed the news.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted, and I welcome what it can do to bring more employment to Wickford.

“It’s exactly what is needed. It is unfortunate that you won’t get big shops in high streets now, but this is a way nicer option, and the old Santander has been empty for a couple of years.”

Mr Morris added that he was excited to attend the restaurant in future and hopes that it will have accessibility arrangements so it can cater to all.