ALL three former banks in Fore Street, Wellington, which have closed over the past 30 months have now been sold.

The old HSBC building is now occupied by AmicusLaw solicitors, having been bought and renovated by local firm Hawkings Cladding, based at Chelston, which also owns the ex-NatWest building now available for let.

It had been speculated that this building might be the new home of the post office but negotiations involving a local businessmen and the Post Office broke down a few weeks ago over money.

The third ‘empty’ bank building, previously housing Barclays, has been sold by estate agents Webbers in South Street.

Branch manager Roger Slattery disclosed yesterday it had been sold to a ‘private investor’. The guide price was £230,000.

He said: “I’ve no idea what it is going to be. It has not been difficult to sell because it is a big building and it is not listed. It also has a large car park at the back. We put it out to auction but it was sold outside of auction. This is quite common.”

When the big three banks pulled out of Wellington, leaving Lloyds as the town’s only bank, it was thought these imposing buildings might be unoccupied for years, rather like the former Kings Arms pub.

However, all three empty buildings were put on the market at reasonable prices to attract investors.

It is thought the empty buildings will find occupiers in the New Year.