A NEW lease of life has been given to one of Lynn's historic waterfront buildings which has opened its doors as a hotel, wine bar, coffee house and brasserie.
The Georgian Grade II-listed Bank House, on Kings Staithe Square, will offer ten bedrooms alongside an all-day eating, drinking and meeting venue as part of a new business venture by owners Jeanette and Anthony Goodrich.
The couple, who also own t
he award-winning Rose and Crown in Snettisham, bought the building last January and invited North West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham to cut the ribbon at the official opening.
Mr Goodrich said: “Since taking on The Rose and Crown 15 years ago we have been convinced that a time would come when it would be right to invest in Lynn.
“We believe that time is now and are very excited, with everything that is going on in Lynn, about the prospects for the town and for Bank House.”
Previous owners Nell and Colin Bailey had spent five years developing a thriving bed-and-breakfast business and the Goodriches have made further investments to add extra accommodation and a commercial kitchen.
Mr Bellingham said: “Bank House is a shining example of the continuing regeneration of Lynn, with an iconic historic building taking on a new lease of life as a quality commercial venture.”
Bank House was built in around 1700 for a wealthy merchant, importing wine from the continent for delivery in the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire areas.
It has unique barrel-vaulted cellars, running under the house and down to the river, which will hopefully be open for public viewing during the coming weeks.
In 1786 Messrs Gurney and Birkbeck founded their first bank in Bank House, which has since become Barclays Bank, in Tuesday Market Place.
The full article contains 304 words and appears in Lynn News Tuesday newspaper.
