PLANS are in the pipeline to transform a former Atherton bank's buildings into a restaurant and cocktail bar with the owners aiming to allow guests to enjoy "part of the town's history."

Cousins Patrick and Kieran McLoughlin hope to open the bar in the next four months at the old Natwest banking hall on Church Street if the proposals are given the green-light.

The restaurant is expected to open in the neighbouring bank building later in the year due to work there taking more time to complete.

The site's restaurant will be serving traditional food and named Grill at No1, while the bar, which will also be used as a coffee house, will be called The Cabinet in reference to the set of old wooden filing cabinets that will be retained.

A corridor will be built as part of the development to connect customers to both venues.

Patrick, 33, said: "Kieran and I are both proud Athertonians, and when we stepped inside these buildings, we knew we had to do something to restore them so that people can experience part of the town's history.

"Ourselves like many others, are used to travelling into Manchester for a meal or a night out.

"We want to bring a Manchester-style bar to Atherton and create lots of job opportunities for the town at the same time."

Mechanical engineer Patrick has recently returned from working in Angola as a project manager for three years.

Kieran, 29, owns Kiwis, a fruit and vegetable shop on Market Street.

Although it would be their first venture into restaurant and bar ownership, the cousins have both got hospitality experience and are confident they have the desire to make the business a success.

Patrick added: "Both buildings are beautiful turn-of-the-century examples of Atherton’s historic past.

"Unfortunately, over the years, like many other great buildings in the town, they have been left vacant and fallen into a state of disrepair having a negative impact on the area.

"We both think there is opportunity for Atherton to grow with the community spirit we have here though and hopefully we can help with that if our plans are approved."

A neighbourhood consultation on the proposals is currently in place until March 4 with a final decision on both of the change-of-use planning applications expected to be made on March 26.