Preston's newest coffee shop opens its doors

'‹The operators of Preston's newest coffee shop are cashing in on its most quirky feature.

By The Newsroom

Published 8th Feb 2017, 11:32 BST

Updated 28th Feb 2017, 12:47 BST

Scott Moore in the vault of the new Costs

The former HSBC bank in Garstang Road, Fulwood, is now up and running as a Costa Coffee outlet.

The move has created 12 local jobs – and given locals something to talk about. The franchisees have retained the bank’s vault, complete with door, as a feature inside the premises.

The outlet is run by Simon and Tracey Vardy of Sim Trava Ltd. Jim Smith, operations director, said: “ We were pleased to retain the vault - its a real talking point

“It has become something of a feature. It’s fantastic – people are coming in and looking at it”

The former bank has been extended and remodelled to create the coffee shop – but the vault just had to stay.

Said Jim: “We want the cafe to become a destination that people use and enjoy. We wanted to get it right and we are proud of how it looks.”