THE much-deliberated long-term future of one of Maidstone's prime retail sites may finally have been decided.

The old Burton menswear store at the corner of Week street and High Street has been home to a discount warehouse for the last two Christmases and at one stage looked set to become another outlet in the burgeoning Starbucks chain of coffee shops.

Now HSBC is hoping to extend its Maidstone operation by moving into the 1,052 square metre listed building. The bank has submitted a full planning application detailing alterations to the shopfront and changing the premises' use from retail to financial services.

The existing branch, in High Street, would be closed down if HSBC's proposed move is given a green light by Maidstone Borough Council's planning committee. Spokesman Charlie Brett said: "It's a building we have acquired and wish to renovate into a branch. Plans are not firm at the moment but if it does go ahead the other branch will definitely close. We would be looking at better customer facilities and an increase in staff head count."

Plans submitted to the council suggest that an extra four full-time staff would be employed in the new premises and 10 workers would be transferred from the Chatham branch.

Starbucks withdrew its application for a coffee shop at the premises last year after the company decided to concentrate on developing its London outlets.