A BANK is set to be transformed into a community and visitor hub.

Since the closure of the Natwest branch in 2017, the grade II former court house on St Peter's Square in Ruthin has remained empty.

Ruthin Town Council, who have snapped up the building, have submitted an application to Denbighshire County Council to change the 15th century building into a multipurpose civic, community and visitor hub with a meeting hall and exhibition space.

The hub - to be used by the town council, community, visitors and tourists - will include a small retail showcase where a curated collection of items from shops in the area will be sold. There will also be a information point.

A design and access statement, prepared for Ruthin Town Council, said: "It is one of the iconic buildings of Ruthin and in the context of St Peter's square forms a critical component of the historic Market Town square setting."

Cllr Gavin Harris, deputy mayor and chair of Ruthin Town Council's The Old Courthouse Working Group, said: "Ruthin Town Council’s key aim is to create a Civic, Community and Visitor Hub in the heart of St Peter’s Square - to increase footfall and vibrancy in the town centre, and support existing attractions, businesses and community organisations, with a high quality, sustainable community and visitor facility that adds value to the community and town centre experience and delivers quality, innovation and celebrates Ruthin’s unique sense of place.

"This unique facility will allow multiple activities to take place day and evening.

"It will include a multipurpose hall that in the day will have an innovative digital and audio enhanced exhibition illustrating the history of Ruthin, its people and of key events in the building and towns timeline; as well as a seasonal art exhibition by local artists.

"During the evening and for key events the exhibitions will fold away and allow the hall to be configured with a variety of room layouts, either for council meetings, small concerts, talks, presentations, film showings, and other activities arranged by many of the town's community groups and organisations."

The character of the four bay timber framed building is set to be retained.

There is evidence that the building was constructed as a court house and prison for the Lordship of Dyffryn Clwyd. It continued to be used as such until the 1600s when a Franciscan friar was hanged on a gibbet which used to be on the outside of the building.

The building was available to purchase after Natwest moved out - this is the first time it had been been on the market since 1920s.