Bank bar vaults ahead with new expansion

A STAFFORDSHIRE bar has helped to create 10 new jobs following a £100,000 investment and expansion into a former bank vault.

The Bank Bar & Lounge in Cannock occupies disused office space at the rear of a former bank in the main town centre.

The extension has seen the bank’s former vault converted into a self-contained bar with stage, dance floor, private booths and an exterior smoking garden. The facility can accommodate around 120 people.

The bank owners plan to use the vault as a function room for weddings and private parties but it will also be open for regular customers at weekends as the bar currently has no dance floor.

The new jobs include bar staff, doormen and catering staff. The venue is owned by businessman Alastair Payne, who toured as a merchandising associate of Britpop megastars Blur before turning to running bars.

He said: “I think our customers will be very impressed with the bank vault. The one thing which has always been missing is the lack of a dance floor. The new extension will fill this void.

“It will be available to hire for special occasions such as weddings and birthday parties and we have already taken a number of bookings.

“The bank vault has its own bar, stage, dance floor and booths which have built-in ice buckets for wine and champagne. It is high class and sophisticated. I am delighted with the look of it and I am confident customers will be just as delighted.”

The building, formerly a branch of Lloyds TSB, first opened as a bar in 2006.