Smart new look for the Cumberland’s Egremont branch
The people of Egremont voted with their feet when the Cumberland Building Society’s branch reopened after refurbishment.
There were more than 30 customers in the first half hour on Monday and people were queuing through the door onto Main Street.
The branch had been closed for two months for a complete refit including disabled access, tasteful dark green décor and digital screens displaying photographs of the local area. The branch also has an ATM.
Delighted customers described the new look as “tranquil” and “welcoming”.
June Steele, 84, from Nethertown, said: “I think it looks great, well worth waiting for, and you always get service with a smile.”
Maureen Haynes, 80, of Egremont, added: “I don’t do internet banking so appreciate having somewhere to come where they sort out any problems.”
And Leslie Dixon, 53, also from Egremont, said: “It’s great to see it back, I like the new look – it’s more up to date. I can’t drive because I’m epileptic and would have to go to Whitehaven if this branch wasn’t here.”
The big turnout of customers was a vote of confidence in the Cumberland investing in branches while many banks are closing theirs.
In Egremont and another 14 communities, from Lockerbie to Ambleside, the Cumberland is the only institution still offering high street banking services.
Dan Palmer, the Society’s cluster manager for Workington, Whitehaven, Cleator Moor and Egremont, said: “It’s brilliant that we can bring our fresh new look to Egremont. We know to have that presence is important to customers and local businesses in the communities we serve. We pride ourselves on offering that face-to-face interaction.”
Rebecca Irving, manager of Calderwood House, an emergency homeless hostel in Egremont, cut a ribbon to declare the refurbished branch open.
Calderwood House is one of the community food hubs to benefit from the Cumberland’s Kinder Kind of Kitchen initiative to help tackle food poverty.
Rebecca said: “We’re very grateful for the support we’ve received from the Cumberland. We have 10 residents to feed every day so it really helps.”
Local business Marion’s provided flowers for the reopening, while Natalie from The Blo Up provided balloons and Bakes by Gina in Whitehaven supplied cupcakes, which were handed out to customers.
The Egremont branch is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9.30am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 4pm.
There on opening day were team members Stacie and Katie. Stacie said: “The branch is like home to us. It’s nice to be back and it’s lovely to hear the positive feedback from customers.”
The refurbishment follows that of the Society’s flagship English Street branch in Carlisle, which reopened last autumn.