HSBC has confirmed plans to relocate its last remaining Northern Ireland branch to a busier part of Belfast city centre.
The lender is proposing to move its current branch on Royal Avenue to the former River Island store on Donegall Place.
A planning application has already been submitted to Belfast City Council seeking permission to change the use of the former retail unit to a new bank.
The application from GC Limited and Ocorian Trust (Isle of Man) Limited includes plans for three floors of the listed building at 36-38 Donegall Place.
HSBC has confirmed its involvement in the application.
HSBC UK’s local director, Neil Roberts, said: “We are continuing to invest tens of millions of pounds into our branch network, upgrading every branch with new technology and refreshing or refurbishing each one.
“We are making changes to our branch in Belfast, and looking forward to opening a new branch in the city, where customers will be able to enjoy the best accessibility, latest design and state-of the-art technology, providing them with a world class banking experience.
“Our new planned location will be in an area of higher footfall, so would expect more people to use the branch.
“We are hoping we will be able to open the branch in the spring of next year, planning permission and construction work allowing, but we will do what we can for our customers to ensure a smooth transition to the new branch.”
The branch is HSBC’s last remaining retail outlet in the north. The bank has closed branches in Omagh, Derry, Coleraine and Portadown in the past two years.
The loss of the large branch on the corner of Royal Avenue and Rosemary Street is the latest blow to the once thriving retail core.
A significant number of units in Royal Avenue, some linked to the stalled Tribeca Belfast scheme, have remained empty for several years.
The opening of a new 20,000 sq ft H&M store at ‘The Keep’ in Belfast’s Castle Place has also raised some questions over the future of the fashion retailer’s large flagship unit on Royal Avenue.
H&M has already confirmed its Victoria Square outlet will close when the new city centre store opens next month.
