AN EMOTIONAL reunion has taken place as 1960s bank worker stepped inside his former work building, now known as Wrexham's latest upscale wine bar.

During the 1960s, Malcolm Fennah worked in Martin's Bank as a young 21-year-old - the first cashier responsible for the cashing up of all the desks at the end of the working day.

Fast-forward to June 19, 2024 and 85-year-old Malcolm returned to the building, now known as the Vault 33 bar owned by former Wrexham AFC player Neil Roberts.

Malcolm Fennah inside Vault 33 with his proud familyMalcolm Fennah inside Vault 33 with his proud family (Image: Debbie Hughes)

The impressive bar opened in April, taking over the building most recently used as Jones Peckover estate agent. Opening in 1898, Wrexham's Martins Bank was the oldest branch in Wales which many residents still remember it as today.

READ MORE: Wrexham: 'Vault 33' wine bar finally opens it doors

He said: "It was wonderful to see how many original features Neil and the team at Vault33 had done, they have obviously taken such pride and care in restoring the building as close to its original state.

Inside the building when it was the bank v now as Vault33Inside the building when it was the bank v now as Vault33 (Image: Wrexham Council Planning and Martins Bank)

"It was very emotional seeing the building again and enabled me to remember many years of happy memories working there. I thank Neil and Vault 33 from the bottom of my heart for giving me memories to cherish.

"Once again its fantastic to see the history of Wrexham being restored and shared for people to enjoy for many years to come."

Malcolm worked there for four-years after leaving the RAF and remembers his time there very fondly.

Malcolm in his youthMalcolm in his youth (Image: Debbie Hughes)

Joining him at Vault33 was his daughter Deborah Hughes. She said: "Words cannot express how much this meant to Dad and for us as a family to witness such emotions as all the memories came flooding back to him.

"Thank you Neil from the bottom of our hears for allowing Dad to relive his precious memories of his time in the bank.

"In Dad's own words, you have restored the building to is original splendour."

The office hours sign gifted to MalcolmThe office hours sign gifted to Malcolm (Image: Debs Hughes)

Malcolm was generously gifted a working hours sign from the time he worked there which sparked a few tears.

Neil also admitted he also previous worked with Malcolm's daughter Deb in the Spar, Rhos, as a "cheeky 15-year-old."

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He added: "What an absolute pleasure and bit of a tearjerker I can't lie. 

"To be able to open our doors once again to firstly such a wonderful gentleman and his family but also to see and hear the memories come flooding back just makes it even better than any busy Saturday night..

"Sometimes I guess we all get carried away with our lives and what we might think is important and we miss the real moments that will last a lifetime.. This was most definitely one of those."