The Cumberland Building Society’s Maryport branch has reopened following a refurbishment.
The premises in Senhouse Street closed for 12 days while contractors removed counter screens – a temporary safety measure during COVID-19 – improved disabled access and fitted out the branch in a deep green colour scheme.
David Stewart, the Cumberland’s area manager for the branch network, said: “We’re a mutual building society and our kinder banking ethos has communities at its heart.
“We had to pause our branch refurbishment programme during the COVID pandemic but we’re back on track now. We’ve created a modern look with an earthy feel, and a relaxed and calming space for customers to come in and talk to us.”
The Cumberland is the last financial institution with a branch in Maryport.
Denise Roberts, of Quality Coin Leisure, which provides pool tables, fruit machines and juke boxes to pubs and clubs, was the first customer through the door when the branch reopened on Tuesday.
She said: “We moved to the Cumberland when NatWest closed. They are great for us because there’s a Cumberland on every high street. Our collectors can bank wherever they are so they’re not travelling around with cash.”
Customer service assistant Natalia Thompson said: “It gives the branch a modern feel and the Cumberland putting money into refurbishment gives our customers somewhere comfortable to visit if they need us.
“A lot of our customers rely on us. For some elderly people we might be the only face they see that day. We’re like family to them. Their faces light up when they see us because they’re pleased to have that human interaction.”
Customers arriving for the reopening were offered cupcakes and a glass of fizz.
