The North East’s biggest building society has chosen the prestigious Trinity Square development as the home for its new signature Gateshead branch.
As part of a £10m investment programme across the business, Newcastle Building Society will be creating a modern, open plan, welcoming branch in 1,800 sq ft of space in Trinity Square, with improved access to services and additional private meeting spaces for customers.
Newcastle-based architect practice MWE, which has worked with the Society for a number of years, including on the development of the Society’s flagship branch on Northumberland Street in Newcastle city centre, and on its most recent branch refurbishments, has been appointed to oversee the design of the new Gateshead branch. A range of local contractors will be appointed to carry out the required construction work.
The new branch is scheduled to open early July.
The Newcastle is investing £10m in the way it delivers its service to customers with improvements to its branch network, telephone and digital offering, and operational infrastructure.
The new Gateshead branch follows on from upgrades being carried out at the Society’s Cramlington, North Shields branches and the relocated Chester-le-Street branch towards the end of 2015.
Steve Urwin, managing director of sales and marketing at Newcastle Building Society, says: “The Trinity Square development has brought Gateshead town centre back to life, and it’s right for us to locate our new signature branch right at the heart of everything that’s happening there.
“The refurbishment work that we’ve already carried out at other branches has been extremely well received by customers, and we’ll be creating a bright, open, modern branch in Gateshead that fits perfectly with both our forward-thinking approach to customer service and the high quality companies who will be our neighbours in Trinity Square.”
Two new Advice Centres were opened in Newcastle city centre recently as part of the investment programme, and an innovative new strategic partnership with Stockton Borough Council will enable the Society to offer traditional building society services and financial advice as part of a redeveloped library facility in Yarm.
Steve Urwin added: “Our branch network remains at the heart of everything we do, and it’s essential that we continue to invest in it to ensure we’re providing the facilities and services our customers want.
“Locating our new signature Gateshead branch in this prime location demonstrates our commitment to doing just that, and we’re already looking forward to welcoming customers when we launch in July.