The Cumberland Building Society is to unveil its revamped flagship branch in Carlisle, backed by a significant investment.
The English Street branch will relaunch on October 14, following a comprehensive refurbishment.
The project faced delays due to the pandemic but is now ready to offer a modernised service, blending user-friendly functionality with environmentally friendly features.
Cumbrian heritage is a key element of the branch's design, and the Cumberland describes the new facilities as its "branch of the future."
Claire Deekes, the Society’s chief customer officer, said: “This has been a significant investment that will allow us to continue to provide our outstanding service to our members in the heart of Carlisle. There’ll be more space, and the same friendly faces delivering our award-winning customer experience and service.”
Customers entering the English Street branch can expect an open plan layout designed for flexibility, allowing them to bank in their preferred manner.
More private spaces for confidential discussions are available on the upper floors, while the top floor houses office space and a community education room.
The fresh layout also features art from local photographers, and digital displays for showcasing both stunning Cumbrian landscapes and banking services.
A striking stained-glass window, created by Brampton-based artist Alex Haynes, pays tribute to the Lake District.
The natural Cumbrian landscape also influenced the new uniforms worn by the branch staff, echoing the colour scheme of the redesigned branch.
Environmental responsibility dovetails with the refurbishment, with features including solar panels, low-energy lighting, and a heat recovery system installed.
Newly-fitted windows aim to reduce overall heat loss, lessening the branch's carbon footprint. Accessibility has also been taken into account, with step-free access and wider spaces catering for customers requiring additional support.
This refurbishment comes after consultation with focus groups to gather customer feedback on in-branch banking.
The Society is relocating its nearby branches on Fisher Street and Denton Holme into the English Street branch on October 11 and November 8, respectively. Existing customers at these branches have been informed about the relocation and additional assistance is being organized for vulnerable clientele, the building society said.
The society added it has assured that no redundancies will occur as a result of the branch consolidation and staff will continue working within the Carlisle branches.
The Cumberland’s remaining Carlisle branches at Kingstown and Rosehill are set to continue operating as usual.
The Cumberland views the completed project as a blueprint for future refurbishments and renovations across its network.
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