LIVE IN A BANK? Former Kildare bank to be turned into apartments

Kildare County Council has granted permission for a former bank to be developed into apartments. 

Ulster Bank in Naas had been closed by the company last year as well as Co Kildare branches in Newbridge Maynooth, Kilcock, Celbridge and Blessington.

Approval has now been given for the former Ulster Bank building in Naas to be converted from bank use to residential use. 

The terraced two-storey over ground-floor protected structure building on South Main Street will be the location of four one-bedroom apartments.

The apartments will be located on the first and second floors.

New balconies will be added to two of the apartments.

There will be changes to the ground floor stairs area for storing bicycles.

An external metal stairs will also be removed. 

There will be a communal area at the rear. 

In 2021, Ulster Bank Ireland announced that, following a strategic review undertaken by its parent company NatWest Group it would begin a phased withdrawal  from the Republic of Ireland.

The bank had 2,800 staff in 88 branches around the country.