Work to convert a former bank into a restaurant with commercial units and flats is gathering pace.

The former Isle of Man Bank building on Main Road in Onchan is being redeveloped into a restaurant with two commercial units and four flats.

Dr Peter Slinger, who owns the building, said: ’We are on programme and hoping to be finished for Christmas, New Year time.

’The work is being carried out as a mixed development so everything should be finalised by then.’

Developing the building has not been a universally popular decision.

Some local residents and the local authority opposed the planning application on grounds of a lack of parking.

Onchan Commissioners objected saying that the building had insufficient parking or room for deliveries. James Cherry was the only commissioner to support the plan.

However, the government’s planning committee granted the application and pointed out that parking rules could be relaxed because the building is within close proximity to a bus route.

Dr Slinger said that when it was a bank, the building had no parking. When the redevelopment is completed, it will include six car parking bays.

Dr Slinger also set out to allay fears that the redevelopment would result in the building losing its character.

He said: ’It is a fine building so we don’t want to ruin it.

’We wanted to retain some of the original features, so, for example, the former vault will be used as a wine store and some other features will remain.’

The former bank had an apartment on the upper floor, which, according to the plans, will be developed into two flats.

The side entrance that existed previously to the residential accommodation will be maintained.

However the forms submitted with the plans show that the work will involve removing the single-storey garage and plant room to make space for a commercial unit and two further apartments.

The restaurant will occupy the area which was formerly where the bank’s customer service and cash tills were located.

It would be able to open from midday till midnight.

However, it is currently not known what type of restaurant will open on the site.

Gold Properties submitted its application to convert the bank (16/01372/B) in December 2016.

The building was home to the village’s branch of the Isle of Man Bank until it closed in 2015. It was the last bank in the village.

A DoI spokesman said the bus stop outside the former bank which has been suspended ’will be reinstated once the works have finished and it is safe to do so’.