Entrepreneur Lynsdey Jenkins is turning the former Barclay’s Bank into a new workspace and accommodation scheme
The former Barclays bank in Cowbridge is being transformed into a new workspace and accommodation scheme.
The building, in the heart of the city on the High Street, is currently being refurbished before it opens as The Old Bank later this year.
The scheme will incorporate flexible workspaces and private offices with meeting and communal spaces, along with three self-contained guest suites offering accommodation. It will also feature a juice and smoothie bar on the ground floor.
The Old Bank is being transformed by local entrepreneur Lyndsey Jenkins, founder and managing director of Cowbridge-based creative communications agency Jamjar, who will move her own team into the building as part of the development.
Lyndsey Jenkins.(Image: Polly Thomas)
The workspace will be designed for freelancers, entrepreneurs, remote workers and small businesses looking for an alternative to working from home or taking a traditional office lease.
Old Bank is expected to open before the end of the year. The freehold interest in the building was acquired from a private landlord who leased the building to Barclays for £450,000. A further £250,000 was spent on refurbishing and preparing the property.
On the development, Ms Jenkins said: “Cowbridge has a great independent business community and we feel there is an opportunity to create something that adds to it – a place where people can work, meet, stay and spend more time in the town.
“The way people work has changed a lot. Many people run businesses from home, work remotely or find professionals somewhere to work without the need for a conventional office. We want The Old Bank to offer that flexibility, but also a sense of community and connection that can sometimes be lost when you work alone.
“As a Cowbridge business itself, moving Jamjar into the building is 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 instead of seeing it remain empty, we wanted to give it a completely new lease of life while retaining as much of its character as possible. There’s still a lot of work to do, but it’s incredibly exciting to see the plans starting to take shape.”
The project has been baked into a loan scheme under the Welsh Government’s transforming cities program which is supporting regeneration activities in the Vale’s town center and is designed to help bring vacant commercial buildings into meaningful business use.
It also receives support through the council’s commercial improvement grant, which supports improvements and maintenance to commercial properties and shops, including improvements to front buildings and internal trading areas.
Cabinet member of the Council for Sustainable Places, said Bronwen Brooks; “It is fantastic to see this landmark building being brought back into use and given a new purpose in 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 centre. Bringing empty properties back into use not only helps strengthen the high street, but also creates new opportunities for businesses, residents and visitors.
“We are delighted to have supported this project through our grant and loan scheme, and we look forward to opening its doors.”