The former HSBC Bank in Market Street is to have its exterior cash machine removed with work designed not to harm its status as a grade II listed building.

In March, it was announced that HSBC would be closing its Ashby branch in August.

Now that has happened, North West Leicestershire District Council has granted planning permission for the ATM machine to be removed.

But it maintains that all of work carried out must leave the building's character intact.

It is hoped the building will not lie vacant for long - but its use most recent use looks to be over, ending a 130-year connection with the banking industry.

A council officer's report says: "The application property is a grade II listed building.

"The list entry refers to a bank designed by Goddard Paget and Goddard for the Leicestershire Banking Company.

"It opened in February, 1892.

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"The list entry refers to a front elevation "faced with white stone" above a "pink stone plinth".

"In 2017 we granted listed building consent for external signs including a fascia sign and hanging sign.

"It is proposed to remove an external ATM.

"Externally the lower section of the aperture would be "filled with matching pink stone" while the upper section would be "filled with matching white stone".

"Internally the aperture would be "made good with matching timber panelling". It is proposed to remove external signs including a fascia sign and hanging sign

"The proposed work would constitute restoration work as defined by Historic England (2017). It would be "executed in accordance with ... compelling evidence of the evolution of the heritage asset" and on that basis it is "likely to be acceptable".

"The proposed work would not harm the significance of the listed building."

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