A restaurant and bar chain has confirmed its commitment to opening a branch in Alton amid suspicions interest has cooled in a town centre landmark.

Loungers were set to open a branch in the former NatWest at 38 High Street with East Hampshire District Council granting the firm a premises licence in September.

Scaffolding also went up around the same period but although notices are still in the windows, work has stopped and a ‘To Let’ sign has appeared.

The unit is being let through Trinity Rose but the Winchester agency has remained tight-lipped about the current status of the property with the involved person “being out of the office on annual leave”.

Loungers have confirmed they are looking at a site in Alton and hope to give more information soon, but their response to an enquiry by the Herald also makes no mention of the 38 High Street site.

The spokesperson said: “We are in advanced negotiations on a site in Alton.

“It’s a great area and we are hopeful to join the local community by opening a Lounge and creating between 30-40 new jobs.

“Nothing is totally confirmed yet, however, for every Lounge we open, it’s important to us that we give back to the community – we partner with local charities to raise funds, our spaces are used for meetings of local groups and businesses, and we encourage customers to use us as a community hub.

“We hope to have more info on the site in Alton soon.”