AN application has been lodged to convert a former bank in Colchester into a tanning and beauty salon.

A small shopping area in St Christopher Road which currently has a Tesco Express, Turkish barber, and florist previously featured a Lloyds bank before it closed.

The unit is currently vacant, but an application has now been applied for by Sheldon Fry for it to be converted to a tanning and beauty salon, and for a new shop front to be installed.

The new salon would employ three people full-time and four people part-time, the plans say.

The former bank previously had an ATM point, which is now out of use, as well as two customer rooms and client helpdesks.

The new project would see the customer rooms replaced with treatment rooms, with lay down sunbeds and stand up sunbeds occupying the rear of the property.

If the application is approved, the cash machine and night safe would be removed from the front of the shop and replaced with new glazing.

A consultation on the plans will run until June 26, with a decision likely to be reached by the end of July.

No objections have been filed against the plans.