Plans have been approved to transform a vacant Barclays bank two years after it closed.

The Salvation Army submitted proposals to use the Grade II-listed building in Court Street, Faversham, as a community space serving up food and drinks.

The three-storey site would be used by the charity as an office on weekdays, with various events held in the day.

A drop-in cafe, activities on market days and a webcast recording studio all feature in the proposals.

Documents reveal how there will also be occasional evening events which will finish no later than 8.30pm.

A change of use application to convert the bank into a community space was submitted to Swale Borough Council earlier this year.

A report compiled by the local authority’s planning team says the community space would not impact the character of the conservation area and the 8.30pm closing time would not lead to noise disturbance.

“Some of the events proposed by the applicants will benefit those on low incomes, therefore I am of the view that it is essential that the community centre is located within an easily accessible location,” it states.

“The property is located within the centre of Faversham, where buses are frequent, and the railway station is a few minutes’ walk away.

“It is therefore located within a sustainable location that will be accessible to the local community.”

Faversham Town Council supported the proposal as it would bring a vacant listed building back into use.

And Swale council’s planning team agreed the space would “maintain the vitality and viability of Faversham town centre”.

The report added: “The proposed use as a community centre does not alter the visual appearance of the building or the internal layout.

“Therefore the character and appearance of the conservation area and the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building would be preserved in this respect.”

Two residents threw their support behind the plans and the council received no objections.

Neighbour Claire Mason said: “I support this change of use application as it will be a positive and much needed addition to the town centre and our community.”

Stephen Palmer says the building has been vacant “for too long” and is keen to see it transformed.

“I am sure this use will not only increase the vibrancy of Court Street but be of benefit to the wider community of Faversham,” he said.

Barclays closed the bank in Court Street in 2021 after it saw a huge fall in counter transactions and reduced numbers of people using its branches solely for their personal or business banking.

At the time, the bank said just 144 customers were using the branch exclusively for all their banking.