The Cumberland Building Society’s branch has reopened after refurbishment.
There were over 30 customers in the first 30 minutes when the branch reopened 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, dark green décor and digital screens displaying photographs of the local area. The branch also has an ATM.
June Steele, 84, of 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.”
Leslie Dixon, 53, also of 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.”
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 combat 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.
