The Cumberland’s branch in Barrow has reopened after a major two-month refurbishment.
The building society’s premises on Dalton Road reopened on 20 April after closing at the start of February.
Its transformation was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Fred Chatfield, the Mayor of Barrow, with Stuart Miller, The Cumberland’s new chief executive, and Jackie Arnold, chair of its board.
Lewis Benson, area branch manager, is delighted with the refurbishment and says customers will be immediately struck by the decor reflecting its surroundings and photographs of landmarks, like Grizedale Forest, Wasdale and Scafell Pike, and Furness Abbey.
He said: “What I hope customers will feel when they go in is it’s a representation of Cumbria.
“The branch looks stunning. Our signature Cumbria feel really comes through, from the greens of the mountains to the black design elements that represent the industrial heritage we have in Barrow.
“It’s about where we all live. While we serve the communities we also live here ourselves and it’s really important that we bring that heritage we’ve got – 176 years now – to life for our customers.”
The refurbishment is the latest in The Cumberland’s programme of upgrading its physical branches, the most recent being Annan last December.
Lewis said that the Barrow upgrade represented both a huge investment in the building and a commitment to The Cumberland’s customers.
He added: “Being on the High Street is a privilege for us at The Cumberland; looking after and supporting our customers in the hearts of our communities is what we are all about.
“We had a wonderful mix of customers through the door on 20 April, all happy to see us back open.
“All were really impressed with the decor and how the branch felt but the main thing that everybody said was it was really nice to see the faces of the colleagues again behind the counter.
“It’s really nice to bank in a place that doesn’t feel like a bank. It’s inviting, it’s warm, it’s friendly.
“To go into a bank for some people is quite daunting sometimes so having this environment for customers is really important.”
Chief executive Stuart Miller said: “Although I’ve only been in my new role for a short while, I’m well aware of how important our physical presence in a community and personal connection with our customers are, and this amazing transformation of our Barrow branch is proof of that.
“This refurbishment is about more than just updating a building – it’s about reaffirming our commitment to Barrow and to the role our branches play at the heart of the community.
“We know how much people value having a welcoming, accessible place to bank, where they can speak to someone face to face.
“It’s fantastic to see the Dalton Road branch reopen with a design that reflects the character and heritage of the area, and we’re proud to continue investing in spaces that bring our purpose to life for customers.”
- While it was closed, The Cumberland operated a banking hub in Barrow for all non-cash enquiries and increased opening at its nearest branch in Ullswater from three to six days. That has now returned to three days.
