A former bank and jewellers are the latest buildings in a town to be listed.

The Grade II status has been given to a site in High Street, Ramsgate, most recently occupied by HSBC.

A site which used to house Stanley’s Goldsmiths on Harbour Street has been given the same status.

The accolade was granted by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on Historic England's advice, with 451 listed buildings now in the town.

The former HSBC structure was designed in a neoclassical style and constructed in 1921 for London Joint City and Midland Bank.

Historic England says this was one of several purpose-built banks in the centre of Ramsgate constructed in the decades either side of 1900, and helps to convey the story of the town’s expansion.

The premises closed as HSBC in 2021 and now stands empty.

The old jewellers shop was probably constructed in the early-mid 19th century and is a good example of a shop from this period, Historic England says.

Its remodelling in the 1950s illustrates the transformation of high street retail architecture. The premises is now vacant after the owners retired earlier this year.

Historic England recommended the status for these two buildings as part of its High Street Heritage Action Zone.

Sarah Gibson, the organisation’s listing team leader, said: “The zone gave us the opportunity to dig deeper into Harbour Street’s past and identity, and the buildings which make it such a special place. Older buildings bring a sense of character to the town centre and Ramsgate is certainly not short of character.

“We look forward to seeing what will come next for these two important places.”

Cllr Rick Everitt, Leader of Thanet District Council, said: “The zone has helped us to highlight, and protect, Ramsgate's unique heritage. The listing of these heritage buildings safeguards the character of Ramsgate’s town centre. Their new status as listed buildings ensures that they will be protected and preserved in the future.

“Tourism is hugely important to Thanet’s economy and our heritage assets and the stories around them add to our appeal. This is great news not only for Ramsgate, but Thanet as a whole.

Ramsgate’s other listed buildings and structures include the stone Jacob’s Ladder steps from Military Road up to Royal Parade built in 1826, to the 18th century glasshouse within the King George VI Memorial Park.

Listed building status isn’t a preservation order - those with it can still be changed and reused.

The status marks a building's special architectural and historic interest, and also brings it under the consideration of the planning system, so that it can be protected for future generations. The older a building is, and the fewer the surviving examples of its kind, the more likely it is to be listed.