North East banking giant Newcastle Building Society opens new branch in South Shields town centre

Newcastle Building Society has invested in a new full service and financial advice branch in the Denmark Centre, near the new transport interchange.

The first customers entered the branch as it opened its doors on Monday, November 18 ahead of a Christmas-themed official opening event which is set to follow on Thursday, December 5.

A number of high street names have been lost from the town centre in recent years including jewellers H Samuel just last month.

Earlier this year Barclays announced it was closing its branch at the Nook, two years after Lloyds closed in the area in June 2017.

While many banks are closing premises and focusing on digital banking, Newcastle Building Society is in the midst of an ambitious multi-million-pound investment programme across its branch network.

The scheme will see 23 new concepts opening in locations across the North East and North Yorkshire and refurbishments taking place at eight of its existing branches.

The new South Shields branch offers customers easy access to services, information and advice across two floors, with a space for local residents and community groups to hold meetings and events also forming part of the design.

Stuart Miller, customer director at Newcastle Building Society, said: “There’s been a lot of interest in our new branch from local customers over the last couple of months and we’re looking forward to sharing the new facilities with them.

“While many other financial institutions are closing branches across the North East, we are investing heavily in enhancing and upgrading a modern branch network that sits right at the heart of our operations.

“Through this, we are extending our contribution to maintaining the vitality and sustainability of local communities around the region and reaffirming our commitment to the people living in them.

“We’ve secured a fantastic, easily-accessible space for our new branch right in the heart of South Shields and can’t wait to welcome in customers old and new.”

The Newcastle Building Society is located at 5 Denmark Centre on Fowler Street, South Shields.