Former Arva bank branch placed on market
ASKING PRICE €150K sought for property with 'multiplicity of uses'
Just under a year after it closed its doors for the last time, the former Bank of Ireland branch in Arva has been placed on the market for sale.
The landmark building in the centre of the town has lain empty since the branch closed on October 8, 2021. It was among three local Bank of Ireland outlets, along with Cootehill and Kingscourt, to close their doors that day.
The bank building, which is listed with an asking price of €150,000, is described as “suitable for a multiplicity of uses”, subject to the necessary planning permission.
Built as two separate houses around 1870, it was converted into a single building for use as a bank in the 1930s. It’s described in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as reflecting “more modest architectural design aspirations of the early twentieth century banks compared to the typical opulent banks of the previous century”.
Estate Agent Declan Woods says the property is arranged at ground floor level to provide a main retail hall, ATM room, vault, offices, store, toilet and kitchen. The first floor houses five rooms, which were used as office accommodation, a kitchen, bathroom, toilet and store.
A “useful” outbuilding is located in the rear yard, with on street parking to the front.
The benefits of owning a property in Arva are also lauded with the mix of businesses in the town noted.
“The subject property occupies a prominent position located centrally on Main Street with neighbouring occupiers; Centra, An Post, two pharmacies, three convenience retail stores, a hardware store, takeaway/coffee shop, public houses, veterinary clinic and the Breffni Arms Hotel.”
News of the bank’s closure was met with concern from many in the community of Arva. Although operating on reduced hours prior to its closure, the Bank of Ireland branch was the only bank remaining in the town.
Bank of Ireland cited a move to digital services and online banking as the reason behind its decision to close 103 of its branches across the country last year.