The former branch of NatWest in Angel Edmonton has sat empty for two years but could soon become a residential premises with eight flats, reports Richard Cubitt

The former NatWest building in Fore Street, Angel Edmonton (credit Google)

Plans to convert a former bank building in Angel Edmonton into residential properties have been submitted to Enfield Council.

The building, which occupies 104-110 Fore Street, was operated as a branch of NatWest until September 2024.

Developer London S.E. Estates Ltd has contracted architects UPP to convert the office space within the building into eight flats.

If it goes ahead, the project will not affect the former ground-floor commercial space of the bank but create two flats at the rear of the shop and a further six in the office space on the first floor.

Three of the homes will have two bedrooms, with the remaining being single-bed properties.

There are no plans to alter the exterior of the building, beyond the replacement of the windows at the side of the building, which has already been approved by the council.

The bank branch closure was announced by NatWest in April 2024, with the company claiming that “banking has changed dramatically in recent years, with an increased demand for mobile and online services, as our customers benefit from a faster and easier way to bank”.

“Closing a branch is a decision we take very seriously,” the company added at the time.

The proposal was the subject of a campaign by Unite the Union to prevent the closure.

This campaign was supported by Edmonton and Winchmore Hill MP Kate Osamor, who said the closure would “have a detrimental impact” and added: “The proposed closure would mean that there is no NatWest branch in my constituency, forcing many to many to travel to access facilities. This will simply not be possible for many, especially those who are more likely to rely on the physical presence of a bank like those who are elderly or have disabilities.”

For more information about the plans to convert the building into flats, use reference number 26/01328/PMA via the council’s online planning portal.

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