Nationwide’s refit and re-opening underlines commitment to High Street presence

This morning, Monday 29 July, Marlborough Mayor Kym-Marie Cleasby cut a ribbon stretched across the front of the newly refitted branch of Nationwide on Marlborough’s High Street (ironically just a few doors along from the soon-to-close Lloyds Bank) and declared the updated branch open.

“A sign of commitment to face to face banking, and our belief in the community” branch Manager Bryan Rumbold told Marlborough.news. “We are really happy to welcome the Mayor to open our freshly refurbished branch and I look forward to showing members around our new-look space. It’s great to know that Nationwide will continue to invest in the High Street up and down the country, even as other brands leave in-person banking behind.

Having a branch on the High Street isn’t just access to financial services – for many it’s a lifeline to the local community. Just last year we raised over £1000 for Marlborough Kids’ Meals and I know a lot of our customers look forward to the branch’s annual Christmas raffle with prizes from businesses around town.” he added.

The ten day closure of the branch allowed workmen to do quite a major refit. Nationwide describe it as ‘a revamped, modern space for local people to access traditional in-person banking’. This commitment to keeping High Street branches stems from not just their own belief, but also research amongst the community at large. A recent poll of 2,000 people (not necessarily Nationwide customers), conducted independently on their behalf showed that nearly three-quarters of us are concerned about branch closures and a simillar proportion stating that they still value branches.

Nationwide are committed to keeping branches open, with a ‘promise pledge’ that everywhere it has a branch, it will still be there until at least 2028.

As well as ensuring that customers can talk (and see!) a representative, Nationwide provides all staff with two days’ paid volunteering time a year and encourages all colleagues to get involved with local community fundraising. In Marlborough, as well as the commitment to Love Kids Meals one example is the commitment to raise funds for the Jubilee Centre, the ‘friendly space ‘for the elderly of the town (and surrounding villages).

One additional feature of the upgraded branch is the presence of a ‘Safe Space’ for anyone facing abuse, part of an initiative Nationwide has introduced in over 400 branches across the UK. Branch staff have been trained to spot signs of domestic abuse and can offer support to anyone affected, including help with finances and access to the building society’s specialist support team.

“Thankfully one of our major financial institutions understands that face-to-face contact is important” stated Mayor Kym-Marie. “We are all glad that the Nationwide are staying and investing in their relationship with Marlborough”.