A CHEESE shop and deli has opened in the town centre after the transformation of a former Bridge Street bank.

Mamar's Bread and Cheese has moved from Warrington Market to a Grade II listed building which was previously home to Co-op Bank, Barclay’s Bank and Martins Bank.

Mamars at The Old Bank

Mamar's at The Old Bank

As well as around 50 cheeses, freshly baked bread and charcuterie, the expansion means the independent business will be able to offer breakfast, brunch and cakes and bakes and, in the future, things like cheese and wine evenings.

Sonia Johnson, who runs Mamar's, said: "I’ve been a bit nervous about it but I am so relieved because the soft opening went so well. You just don’t know until it happens what the response is going to be like but everyone has been so positive."

Mamars at The Old Bank

Mamar's at The Old Bank

The team got the keys on August 4 with the building transformed in just a month. The development has created four jobs with more likely to follow.

Sonia, from Orford, added: "The turnaround time has been so fast that we’ve been in a bit of a whirlwind."

Mamars at The Old Bank

Mamar's at The Old Bank

Downstairs the bank's old vault remains which could be incorporated into the Mamar's experience in the future.

Paul Russell, commercial director, said: "It’s an amazing building that has been empty for 11 years.

Mamars at The Old Bank

Mamar's at The Old Bank

"The main room was completely empty. It was just a shell. With that space we've tried to create this rustic architectural feel. It was my idea to have the exposed wiring in the lights to give it an industrial look."

Sonia added: "Repurposing the building has become a theme. Everything here has been reclaimed or recycled. For example, the Batch Bottlestore lads gave us their shelves and counters and we’ve rejigged those."

Mamars at The Old Bank

Mamar's at The Old Bank

The best-selling cheese so far is Cashel Blue, from Tipperary, Ireland, while they delighted one cheese fanatic who said the only other place he had seen Mahon Semicurado was in Harrods.

Paul, who lives in Appleton, said: "In Warrington, no one else quite does this in terms of artisan cheese and meats.

"The stall was very small at the market and was very limited so Sonia wanted to expand and grow the business.

"We’ve taken a leap of faith but it has been really well received so far. There is a massive movement towards independent food and drink and we’re working with a lot of companies in the area.

Mamars at The Old Bank

Mamar's at The Old Bank

"For instance, we’ve teamed up with The Grand down the road and so people will come here for a cheese board and then get some vouchers for drinks at the bar later on."

Sonia added: "The collaborations we’ve picked up have been excellent. Gone are the days when you have to be super competitive all of the time.

Mamars at The Old Bank

Mamar's at The Old Bank

"If you want to regenerate the town centre you’ve got to work together. We do stuff with 4Ts Brewery and we’ve been talking this morning about getting the Modern Day Monks brewery lads in.

"We’re going to start selling things from local producers so, for example, we know a young woman who does artisan chocolates and North West Young Trader of the Year Sarah Clarke wants to come in soon as she wants us to stock her spices."

Mamars at The Old Bank

Mamar's at The Old Bank

Cheese and wine experiences are just around the corner as well.

Paul said: "We’ll have some experiences like that coming up in the near future and things like pudding evenings. We’ve also had people enquiring about private events. It’s been great to see that interest straight away.

Mamars at The Old Bank

Mamar's at The Old Bank

"People have been saying to us: ‘It’s nice what they’re doing to Bridge Street – making it more upmarket’."

Sonia added: "Bridge Street used to be an amazing place to go out to eat and drink and the shopping and the vibe in the town centre was much better. It has the potential to be like that again."