A former Barclays bank in the centre of Cowbridge is being converted into a new workspace and accommodation scheme. The building, on High Street, is undergoing renovation ahead of its opening as The Old Bank later this year.
Plans for the building
The scheme will combine flexible workspace and private offices with meeting and communal spaces, alongside three self-contained guest suites offering accommodation. A juice and smoothie bar will also feature on the ground floor.
The Old Bank is being transformed by local businesswoman Lyndsey Jenkins, founder and managing director of Cowbridge-based creative communications agency Jamjar. Jamjar will relocate its own team to the building as part of the development.
Design and investment
The workspace will be designed for freelancers, entrepreneurs, remote workers and small businesses looking for an alternative to working from home or taking on a traditional office lease.
The freehold interest in the building was acquired from a private landlord that leased the building to Barclays for £450,000. A further £250,000 is being spent on renovating and fitting out the property.
Ms Jenkins said: “Cowbridge has a brilliant independent business community and we felt there was an opportunity to create something that adds to that – a place where people can work, meet, stay and spend more time in the town.
“The way people work has changed enormously. There are lots of people running businesses from home, working remotely or looking for somewhere professional to work without necessarily wanting a conventional office. We want The Old Bank to give them that flexibility, but also the sense of community and connection that can sometimes be missing when you work on your own.
“As a Cowbridge business ourselves, moving Jamjar into the building was an important part of the plan. We want to be right in the middle of the High Street and hopefully play a small part in its continued success.
“It’s a fantastic building with so much character and history, so rather than seeing it remain empty, we wanted to give it a completely new lease of life while retaining as much of that character as possible. There’s still plenty of work to do, but it’s incredibly exciting to see the plans beginning to take shape.”
Support and funding
The project has been backed by a loans scheme under the Welsh Government’s transforming towns programme, which is backing regeneration activity in town centres across the Vale and is designed to help bring vacant commercial buildings back into beneficial business use.
It has also received support through the council’s commercial improvement grant, which supports improvements and maintenance works to commercial and retail properties, including enhancements to building frontages and internal trading areas.
The council’s cabinet member for sustainable places, Bronwen Brooks, said: “It’s fantastic to see this landmark building being brought back into use and given a new purpose at the heart of Cowbridge.
“Projects like The Old Bank show what can be achieved when local businesses have the support to invest in our town centres. Bringing empty properties back into use not only helps to strengthen our high streets, but also creates new opportunities for businesses, residents and visitors.
“We’re pleased to have supported this project through our grant and loan schemes, and we look forward to seeing it open its doors.”
