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A new city centre Metro Bank that would have been the brand's first in the north remains closed seven weeks after its original planned launch date.

The challenger bank in November said it had "arrived in Liverpool" and was excited to open its new store on Paradise Street days before opening its Manchester branch.

But seven weeks on from the planned '"two-day grand opening party" on December 6, the store's doors remain firmly closed, and people in Liverpool have started to wonder about the "mysterious" circumstances.

Days before the planned launch in December, the firm released a statement saying it had "hit a snag at the last moment".

The opening of the bank set to create 25 jobs and which will allow dogs inside, was then postponed indefinitely.

A week later, the Manchester store on Market Street opened its doors, but there is still no indication of a new date for Liverpool - although a Metro Bank insider said it is "very close".

On Thursday, Liverpool resident George Vicars said: "It's a bit of a mystery. What sparked my interest was that it's a completely new bank to the North, and what fantastic news it was that it was coming to Liverpool.

"I thought I would go in and open an account with them - going in and giving the local branch my business rather than doing it online.

"It looks as though everything is set up, everything's on, the lights are on, the cash machines are on, but nobody's home.

"I was around the branch yesterday afternoon and one or two others were also saying how new it looks but that they were also confused as no one was inside.

"It's a real curiosity. I was told the delay is due to connectivity problems - but one would think the computer boffins would have sorted all of those out by now."

A passerby on Paradise Street said on Thursday: "It's rather baffling. I have walked past every day for the past few weeks and don't think I've seen anyone going in or coming out.

"It's certainly a curious one, as it's emitting such bright lights so is very visible to anyone passing - particularly at night.

"I would be interested in the services they will offer when - or if - they ever manage to open."

The store was due to be Metro Bank's 71st in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.

Last year, the firm said it hoped to open 30 northern stores by 2025, creating 750 jobs, with its brand offering business, personal and private banking services from early in the morning until late at night, even at weekends.

Aiming to offer unrivalled flexibility, the company said customers will be able to visit the store, with no appointment needed, and open an account there and then.

Metro Bank is due to open its first store in Wales on Friday.

When contacted for comment by BusinessLive, a Metro Bank spokeswoman said: “We’re really excited to be coming to Liverpool and getting set to open the doors to our new store soon.

“We’re sorry to be launching a little later than we had hoped due to us hitting a snag before Christmas, but we are making good progress and would like to thank the people of Liverpool for bearing with us

"We promise it will be worth the wait – and we’re absolutely committed to showing the residents and local businesses of Liverpool what great service and convenience looks like."