‘A privilege to serve’: The Cumberland’s new-look Barrow branch is a commitment to its customers
The Cumberland's branch in Barrow has celebrated its major refurbishment with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Fred Chatfield, the Mayor of Barrow, with Stuart Miller, The Cumberland’s new Chief Executive, and Jackie Arnold, Chair of its Board.
The building society's premises on Dalton Road reopened on 20 April.
Lewis Benson, Area Branch Manager, is delighted with the refurbishment which represents both a huge investment in the area, and a commitment to The Cumberland’s customers.
He said: “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’ve been inspired by the effort in regeneration around Barrow, such as the Barrow Rising initiative, and we wanted to play our part for the future of the town and its high street.
“With many banks closing their doors to the people of Barrow, I’m really proud to have a great welcoming branch where customers can not only complete their everyday banking but also gain access to our great current account and the more traditional savings and mortgages we are renowned for.”
The refurbishment has drawn on many elements reflecting the area, and Lewis says customers will be immediately struck by the decor reflecting its surroundings and photographs of landmarks like Furness Abbey.
He said: “What I hope people will feel when they go in is that it's a representation of the region.
“The branch looks stunning. Our signature Cumberland 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 The Cumberland’s 176 years of heritage 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.
That received an enthusiastic response from customers there and Lewis said the same has been true in Barrow.
“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 so nice to see the faces of the colleagues again behind the counter.
“To go into a bank for some people is quite daunting sometimes so having this environment for customers is really important. It's inviting, it's warm, it's friendly”
Chief executive Stuart Miller said: “We’re well aware of how important our physical presence on the high street is to our customers, 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 and accessible place to bank, where they can speak with our colleagues face to face.
“It’s fantastic to see our Barrow 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.”