Former Lloyds Bank in Penarth has dry rot, damp and woodworm

If you've walked past the grade II listed building on Windsor Road, you may have noticed the scaffolding on the building. 

What works are being done?

A planning application was submitted by Cabot Trustees Limited for the following remedial works and investigations to be carried out.

External alterations:   

• Removal of the external bank safe and modification of the window to match other ground-floor windows.

Internal alterations: 

• Removal of the suspended ceiling with making good to the ornate cornice detailing.  

• Removal of the ramp installed by the previous tenant.  

Investigative/remedial work: 

• Investigative work to identify dry rot throughout the property.  

• Removing the plaster to the internal walls to fully expose the wall to assess the extent of the remedial repairs.  

• Cutting back the floors finishes around the building's perimeter to assess the extent of the dry rot to the floors.  

What investigation work has been carried out?

The building has been described as ‘in a state of partial disrepair’ with issues including water ingress and dry rot affecting its structural integrity, in a heritage impact statement. 

The building was first visited by TYWI Damp Proofing Treatments on May 7, 2024, for a visual inspection which found rising damp, woodworm and fungal decay.  

A drawing showing where high moisture readings were found (Image: Vale of Glamorgan Council)

How will the dry rot be treated?

• Exposing and treating the internal walls to address structural issues caused by dry rot.  

• Cutting back floor finishes around the perimeter and revisiting and replacing skirtings only where necessary.  

• Assessing and treating the windows affected by dry rot. 

Read more

• Lloyds Bank in Windsor Road, Penarth is closing 

• Penarth Town Council can no longer bank in Penarth 

• Lloyds Bank to cut 1,600 jobs across branches in shift to online banking 

• Lloyds to scrap mobile bank branches which help ‘as little as two’ customers 

Why did the bank close?

The Lloyds Bank branch on Windsor Road in Penarth closed on February 9, 2022. 

In 2021, Unite union said it the closure of 48 Lloyds Banks and seven Halifax branches could lead to 178 jobs losses.  

At the time Vim Maru, retail director for Lloyds Banking Group, said: “Like many other businesses, we’ve seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years, and this decline is continuing. 

“Our branches remain a fundamental part of how we serve our customers, but we need to ensure the size of our branch network reflects the number of customers wanting to use them.”