PLANS to convert two former banks into Costa branches have been drawn up.

The HSBC banks in Leyburn and Easingwold could be transformed into Costa coffee shops if plans are approved.

London-based firm Erindale Ltd submitted the plans for both premises, with the aim of creating sixteen full-time and twelve part-time jobs altogether.

Four objections have been submitted for the proposals to the former Leyburn HSBC branch, which closed in June last year.

Ruth Morris, who owns Central Chambers independent coffee shop, said: “I would have thought that there are plenty of eating and drinking establishments already and if Costa were to open some of these myself included may have to shut down.

“I would like to point out that one of the reasons we do get a lot of visitors is the fact that Leyburn offers individual and family run businesses and we would like to keep it that way.”

News of the plans came to the public’s attention when an advert for a branch manager was put on the bank door window.

The opening hours would be from 6am until 9pm every day.

Graham Dye, of Melmerby, said: “This application is from a company which is based hundreds of miles from here and who have neither local knowledge nor, frankly, interest in the future wellbeing of our existing businesses.

“The same can be said for their prospective tenant Costa who whilst operating a decent business model will wish to dominate the town and shed no tears to see failure of local competitors.”