“It is everything I wanted it to be and more”, beams Ali Hussain as the doors to the Treasury finally opened and the drinks started flowing.
For more than two years the Whitby businessman has been painstakingly planning and preparing every last detail to bring to fruition the vision he had to “deliver something unique and special for Whitby”.
And as the Mayor of Whitby, Sandra Turner officially cut the ribbon over the bar, watched by the 150 guests who had been invited to Wednesday’s opening event – Ali said it was “a really proud moment”.
As soon as he bought the former HSBC bank building in Whitby town centre he said he felt a responsibility to town folk to make a place they wanted to come to and enjoy.
There was also a family connection to the building which stemmed back to his late father, Mohammad Hussain, who passed away in March.
Ali said: “I opened my first bank account here, and as a business with my parents’ shop we would bank the money down here so it has always been a family bank.
“It is not just me, the amount of people who have approached me over the last two years to say they used to bank here.
“The building came up, I thought it was a great location, it means something to us and I just wanted to try. We were fortunate enough to purchase it, and then there was a level of responsibility to deliver something for the people of Whitby. It was really important for me to get that right.”
The old bank counter has been retained and is the bar while a mezzanine has been built to open a second floor in the former main banking hall which is overlooked by a huge chandelier.
Private offices have been opened up to create booths and rooms for customers with a mix of tables and plush seating.
Work is still being carried out on a VIP terrace which has been sponsored by champagne brand Laurent-Perrier. The only other collaboration Laurent Perrier has in the UK is the O2 in London.
The Treasury is open from 8am for coffee and cakes with drinks, cocktails, wine and bar snacks available throughout the day. A full dining menu and experience will be added later in the year.
Twenty-five jobs have been created in the town with the opening of The Treasury.