By Carole Dennett
A planning application has been submitted to transform the former Poundland store at 6 High Street, Cowes into a new Banking Hub, offering shared banking services for residents and small businesses of a number of major banks.
Cash Access UK, a not‑for‑profit organisation set up by major banks and building societies, hopes to bring the building back into use with a modern, accessible hub providing cash withdrawals, deposits and basic banking support. The site is currently vacant and sits within the Cowes Conservation Area, but is not a listed building. The property was built around 1917 in traditional Art Nouveau style. It is single storey fronting the High Street and a two-storey property at the rear, backing on to Cross Street.
The proposals include a new shopfront, an external ATM, and a small number of externally illuminated signs for the Banking Hub and Post Office services. The entrance will be moved forward slightly to allow space for an internal wheelchair‑compliant ramp, replacing the steep external ramp that does not meet current accessibility standards.
The traditional look of the shopfront will be retained, with timber frames and stall risers replaced on a like‑for‑like basis.
Inside, the building will be fully refurbished to create meeting rooms, service counters and customer areas. An existing roof‑mounted condenser unit will be replaced with a quieter, modern version in the same location, screened from public view.
The applicant’s agent Ridge, say the changes will have only a “limited impact” on the conservation area, with the design kept sympathetic to neighbouring shops. They add that the hub will help restore essential banking access to Cowes High Street.
Residents can view and comment on the plans via iw.observer/planning-portal under reference 26/00391/FUL.
The establishment of a permanent banking hub follows successful lobbying by West Wight MP Richard Quigley. A temporary service was set up in East Cowes in April last year.
