A restaurant and cocktail bar has closed just eight months after opening. 

Vaultz Bar and Restaurant, in the former Lloyds Bank, in Winchester Street, confirmed on their website that they have permanently shut. 

The venue opened in October 2023, and aimed to transform the Top of Town area by offering fresh food and cocktails. 

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The former Lloyds Bank was transformed into a restaurant and bar  (Image: Emily Roberts) In a statement uploaded to their website, the restaurant thanked their customers and explained that they had closed due to unforeseen circumstances. 

The restaurant said: "It is with regret and due to unforeseen circumstances, Vaultz Bar & Restaurant is now closed permanently.

"We've had an amazing 8 months open and although may not have always been perfect, we tried our best to bring something different to Basingstoke.

"We thank every one of you who experienced Vaultz with us and were part of our journey but for now we say goodbye to Basingstoke."

This comes just a few weeks after Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council announced an action plan to ‘kick-start the rejuvenation’ of the Top of Town area and enhance its vibrancy with a package of improvements, including outdoor seating to create a ‘thriving café culture’.

The project has already seen the cleaning of pavements and the market square, the removal of vape stickers from bins and the cleaning of street furniture in the area.

The council is making it easier for businesses to have outdoor seating areas by reducing the level of public liability insurance required. It is also working with venues in the Top of Town, the council will also encourage more live music to enhance the arts and culture scene in the area.

A new grant scheme will be launched to encourage business owners to improve and maintain their shop fronts and is exploring other initiatives to encourage shoppers to visit the Top of the Town.