The opening of a new restaurant inside a former town centre bank is edging closer. 

It was revealed at the start of April that Loungers UK Limited is hoping to open in Newmarket High Street, after a licensing application was lodged with West Suffolk Council. 

Documents show the restaurant chain, which is behind brands such as Lounges and The Cosy Club, is planning to move into the former Barclays bank. 

The opening of the restaurant appears to be getting closer, with jobs now being advertised for the site. 

Loungers UK is looking to hire both a general manager and a head chef for the venue. 

Both jobs are advertised with a salary of £40,000. 

A spokesman for the chain said: “We are in negotiations on a site in Newmarket – it’s a great area and we are hopeful to join the local community by opening a Lounge and creating between 30-40 new jobs later this year.

"Nothing is totally confirmed yet, however, for every Lounge we open, it’s important to us that we give back to the community – we partner with local charities to raise funds, our spaces are used for meetings of local groups and businesses, and we encourage customers to use us as a community hub.

“We hope to have more info on the site in Newmarket, soon.”

The company currently has restaurants in Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury under its Lounges brand, as well as a Cosy Club in Ipswich. 

Ipswich Borough Council gave the go-ahead for a new Lounges venue on Ipswich Waterfront in March. 

Barclays closed its doors on Newmarket High Street in 2023.