One of Carlisle’s landmark city centre buildings is about to reopen following a stylish redesign.

The Cumberland Building Society is preparing to reopen its flagship branch on English Street on October 14 following a six-figure investment.

It describes the new-look branch as its “branch of the future” with a host of features to make banking more straightforward for customers whilst also protecting the environment.

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 will be welcomed by colleagues into an open plan space, with the large area providing an opportunity for customers to bank in the way they want to as part of a “Kinder” banking experience.

The Cumberland is committed to providing banking services that are “kinder to people and the planet.” The refurbishment incorporates measures to minimise the carbon footprint such as solar panels, low-energy lighting, a heat recovery system, and new windows to cut heat loss.

The branch also features step-free access and wide spaces for customers who require more support.

The refurbishment follows consultation through focus groups to find out what customers want from in-branch banking.

The work had been due to take place in 2020 but was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic prompted a further review as it also changed the way people want to bank.

There are plans for other refurbishments and branch refreshes based on the English Street blueprint.

“We are committed to providing banking services in a way that customers want to use them,” said Claire.

(Image: James Vincent)

“You’ll always be able to speak to a real person when you come to us. We’re looking forward to welcoming customers and the community to our new flagship branch from Monday 14 October.” 

A celebration of Cumbria: Inside the new look branch

(Image: James Vincent)

The design pays homage to Cumbria reflecting the natural environment in the green décor, brickwork, fabrics and use of Lazonby sandstone and its industrial heritage in the oak floors and lacquered black steel.

There are displays of landmarks and landscapes from local photographers, digital screens to showcase scenery as well as banking services, and a magnificent stained-glass window celebrating the Lake District created by Brampton artist Alex Haynes.

Colleagues have a new uniform to complement the design, taking inspiration from the natural Cumbrian landscape.

Upstairs, there are spaces for private conversations, office space and a meeting room available for education across the community.

New service

The modern service at the refurbished branch means The Cumberland will relocate the nearby branches in Fisher Street and Denton Holme into the flagship English Street premises on October 11 and November 8 respectively. Both are within walking distance of English Street. There will be no redundancies and The Cumberland’s other Carlisle branches at Kingstown and Rosehill remain open as usual.