A FORMER bank on Dunbar High Street looks set to be transformed into a sweet shop.

Gavin and Susan Love of Love Sweets and Ices, who are already based on the busy street, plan to move into the premises vacated by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

The building closed its doors at the end of May and has lain empty since.

Now Love Sweets and Ices is hoping to be in the new premises – as well as the existing shop – and trading by spring next year.

Mr Love said: “We have been looking for a new premises for a wee while. We are looking to be trading from March next year.”

Love Sweets and Ices has been trading on the opposite side of the road from the former bank for six years.

However, a sweet shop on the site dates back more than 30 years.

Mr Love said that the shop would be based in the front of the former bank, with rooms such as the manager’s office used for storage.

Philip Mellor, chairman of the Dunbar Trades’ Association (DTA), was pleased to see the building being brought back into use.

He said: “The redevelopment of the old RBS bank on the High Street further demonstrates the demand for retail space in Dunbar.

“We wish the new owners every success with the refurbishment of this iconic building and welcome the plans that Love Sweets and Ices has for the space.”

A decision to close 62 RBS and 197 NatWest branches came at the end of last year, with RBS branches in North Berwick and Dunbar shutting.

The move was widely criticised by local politicians, with ward councillor Paul McLennan among those unhappy at the decision.

In January, he said: “The social and community impact on the North Berwick and Dunbar communities of these branch closures will be substantial.

“The RBS in Dunbar is in the centre of the town and will impact on the sustainability of High Street.”