The Cumberland Building Society has announced a major refurbishment of its Whitehaven branch, highlighting its commitment to the town.

The premises on Lowther Street will close for around 20 weeks, from Saturday, May 30, to allow the work to be carried out.

During that time, The Cumberland will offer weekly drop-in sessions in Whitehaven and extend opening hours at its Egremont and Cleator Moor branches.

The Cumberland will also be hosting customer engagement events in Whitehaven branch prior to the refurbishment, on Thursday, May 21, Tuesday 26, and Thursday 28.

These events will provide an opportunity for customers to come by and chat with Cumberland colleagues about how they can support customers during the refurbishment. 

These events will run 5pm-7pm, customers can enjoy tea, coffee and biscuits, and will also have an opportunity to look at the plans for the branch refresh.

Victoria Rose, the Cumberland’s Cluster Manager for West Coast branches, said: “We plan on being in Whitehaven for the long term so we’re investing to make the branch sustainable for the future.

“It’s acomplete refurbishment to create a better, calmer, environment for customers and colleagues. 

“We’re improving disabled access, creating a new layout with more space for private conversations, improved lighting, and technical upgrades.

“The new look branch will be a modern, welcoming space, and the décor will reflect our local area.”

Unusually for a building society, the Cumberland offers personal and business current accounts and lends to businesses.

It will soon be the last current and business account provider with a branch in Whitehaven following Santander’s announced branch closure.

Santander has yet to confirm the closure date, but it will be no later than January when Whitehaven will become the largest town in Cumbria, and one of the largest in England, not to have a high street bank.

But while banks are shutting branches, The Cumberland continues to invest in its branch network. 

The Whitehaven refurbishment follows those at Maryport, Egremont, Carlisle city centre, Carlisle Rosehill, Annan, Preston and most recently Barrow.

Victoria added: “We need our branches so customers can talk to us face-to-face, whether it be about savings, mortgages or current accounts. 

“It’s about choice. We do have online banking and a mobile app, but you can still come and see us.

“Our customers like having that choice and it makes us different from the banks, even though we offer banking services.” 

The branch ATM will be out of action during the temporary closure, but the nearest free ATM is close by on King Street.

The Cleator Moor and Egremont branches, which usually open three days a week, will open 9.30am-4pm Monday to Friday while Whitehaven isclosed for refurbishment.

In addition, Egremont will open 9am-12 noon on Saturdays.

The Workington branch, on Pow Street, is also open six days a week.

The Cumberland, based in Carlisle, is the largest financial institution in the area with assets of £3.29billion, mortgage lending of £2.76billion and 31 branches across Cumbria, southwest Scotland, Northumberland and Lancashire.