Aberdeen beautician could give former Mannofield bank a makeover with new cafe plans

An Aberdeen beautician is planning to give a former bank in the city’s west end a major makeover.

Lucy Slattery, who runs Moossh on Union Street with her sister Claire Tester, wants to transform the former TSB branch on Great Western Road.

Papers lodged with Aberdeen City Council indicate the converted building would be known as Moossh Cafe/Delicatessan if approved.

It would be a “family friendly artisan café/delicatessen, showcasing locally sourced seasonal products from independent suppliers”.

Lloyds TSB announced the closure of the Mannofield branch at the end of 2020, and the doors closed last June.

New blueprints show how the building could now be given a fresh lease of life, with space for about 1oo diners.

That includes six tables-for-four outside and a pair of tables-for-two, along with a canopy over the al fresco area.

The application should be decided by the end of the year.

It would be open from 8am to 11pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 8am to 10pm on Sunday.

Lucy told us that the family has a background in hospitality, and this is something the sisters have always been keen to explore as they “grow the Moossh brand”.

And while she has been in the building recently, Lucy has been encouraged by the support of inquisitive locals.

What would cafe sell?

The menu would “cater for the growing vegan market”, and its breakfast menu would offer everything from crepes to porridge along with cinnamon buns, tarts and quiche.

There would also be a soup of the day, salads, potato skins, nachos and smoked salmon.

Pasta and pizza would be on offer too.

And sweet-toothed visitors could choose from cheesecake, ice cream and creme brulee for dessert.

‘We want to grow a business’

The application sent to Aberdeen City Council explains the family’s desire to breathe new life into the 495-499 Great Western Road address.

It states: “Banks have increasingly chosen to close their premises, moving their business online and leaving many empty properties throughout the city and surrounding areas.

“The applicants are local entrepreneurs who are looking to invest and grow a business in a way that positively contributes to the area.

“If successful, the business would lead to employment within the local community including part-time seasonal work for the large younger student workforce within Aberdeen.”

Moossh cafe plan follows nail and beauty salon takeover

It wouldn’t be the first time Claire has come to the rescue of an Aberdeen premises.

In May, she and her sister reopened the former Nail Co salon on the Granite Mile – saving 12 jobs lost when it closed the previous month.

Claire, 31, worked for Nail Co for three years and was one of those dozen workers.

Would you like to visit the old TSB if the renovation is approved? Let us know in our comments section below

Old bank was on the market for more than £300,000

The new plans come after the 2,747sq ft site was put up for sale.

The three-storey building, which dates back to 1980, was open to offers over £325,000.

This summer, a proposal to turn the old Santander at the foot of George Street into a restaurant was approved.

You can see the Moossh cafe plans here.