A high street in a Broadland village could be kept 'alive' by the launch of four new retail units.

Work on the development in the former Barclays Bank building on The Street in Acle is due to be finished by early spring.

Acle Parish Council, which owns the building, is now seeking tenants for the units.

Fiona Richardson, deputy parish clerk, said: "We're looking for interesting shops that will bring people into the village."

The three units at the front of the building could suit uses such as a café or delicatessen, general retail or a clinic.

The fourth unit, at the back, could be an office for a professional, a treatment room for a chiropodist or a consultation room.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Barclays building, on The Street in Acle, pictured in 2019.The Barclays building, on The Street in Acle, pictured in 2019. (Image: Archant)

Ms Richardson said: "We want to bring in something that's a little bit different.

"We want to keep the high street for shops. It's important to keep the high street going.

"The retail units mean keeping the street alive, in the centre of the village, by the bus stops, and providing for local people as well," she added.

The units are being let by Bycroft estate agents, who say they are located in "a prime spot from a retailing perspective".

Their advertisement goes on to say: "The development is being completed to a high standard making the most of the property’s frontage to The Street, which boasts a high customer footfall and has a very well-used bus stop immediately in front of the premises."

Car parking is provided to the side and rear of the property.

Last year, planning permission was granted for the refurbishment of the building and a small extension to the rear.

The parish council have confirmed that the property will be renamed in the near future. 

Recent years have seen new estates built in Acle, with 58 apartments at Swallowtail Place, a 45-home development on Oaks Meadow due to fully open this year and another 200 houses planned for Leffins Lane.

Barclays closed in February 2019, leaving the village with no bank and concerns among residents that the closure would take the heart out of the town.

In 2013, the building was the scene of a dramatic incident, when a man reportedly entered the bank brandishing a blow torch and a petrol can.