A FORMER town centre bank could become a language school under new plans. 

The former HSBC bank in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth closed in October last year after 130 years on the site, having first opened as Midland Bank in 1893. 

Bright School of English, which has a school further up the road near Revolution, is planning to open a new site in the vacant building. 

Rightmove has been marketing the former bank for lease at £95,000 per annum – or £7,917 per calendar month.  

HSBC moved out for the first time last year since 1893HSBC moved out for the first time last year since 1893 (Image: Daily Echo)

The school said there will be no changes to the exterior of the building, but there are plans to change inside which has been left in a “state of disrepair”. 

It said: “The floors under consideration will be used for English language training, based around an office environment. 

“As we propose no changes to the building exterior we don’t believe there will be any effects on the following: archaeological, architectural or artistic.” 

It added: “The Bright School of English will make fantastic use of this empty building, bringing vibrancy and with staff and students adding daily to the local economy.” 

HSBC moved its bank to a new location in nearby Commercial Road, fitted with new technology in an investment said to be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. 

Rachel Hill, HSBC UK’s local director, said the banking giant is “committed” to Bournemouth town centre with the opening of the fresh branch. 

Although HSBC moved from the Old Christchurch Road building in October 2023, they vacated the offices above in 2020. 

The Bright School of English is accredited by the British Council and offers a variety of courses for foreign students with prices ranging from £190 to £300 per week. 

Prior to the pandemic, the international education sector was said to be worth £300million to the local economy, with around 50,000 students a year coming to the Bournemouth and Poole area. 

But as reported in the Echo, around five language schools in the Bournemouth area are thought to have disappeared since Covid struck. 

One school in the multi-million pound sector has reported being 80 per down on pre-pandemic student numbers as the industry suffers “one hit after another”.