People in Barrow have the chance this month to help shape the future of The Cumberland.
The building society will be in the town to get the views of people about banking in the 21st century.
The Cumberland is bringing its green sofa and other props to the Bridge community hub in the third stop of its unique roadshow around the county.
It hopes the Community Conversations pop-up will help it to better understand what people really want from their building society or bank.
The event will take place at The Bridge on Portland Walk this Friday June 26, between 10am and 3pm.
People are welcome to pop in, take a seat and have a chat.
It’s the latest in a series of such events, with others held in Carlisle and Dumfries last month.
People who dropped in had a range of views and topics to discuss, with a popular concern being the need to have the option of face-to-face contact with The Cumberland’s staff in its branches.
Stuart Miller, The Cumberland’s newly-appointed chief executive, has spearheaded the Community Conversations initiative.
He said: “We want to understand what our customers, and potential future customers, value from the Society and where we can improve.
“These conversations will help shape our decision-making going forward. So whenever you see that green sofa, please do stop for a chat.”
Those taking up the invitation will be asked what matters most to them, friendly service for example, or having branches on the high street or the availability of online banking.
They will also be asked to add to the company’s ‘to-do’ list of things it should consider or focus on, and what community initiatives it should support.
Stuart added: “The Cumberland’s purpose is to provide banking services that are kinder to people and the planet. Listening to our customers, and acting on what they tell us, is a vital part of that.”
The Cumberland has also commissioned market researchers YouGov to speak to people across its operating area, which includes all of Cumbria and much of south-west Scotland, Northumberland and Lancashire.
The Cumberland is the largest financial institution in the area with assets of £3.29 billion, mortgage lending of £2.76 billion and 31 branches.
