Darlington Building Society recently celebrated the opening of its new branch in Bishop Auckland, marking a significant investment in their expansion efforts. The branch had been located in Waverley House since June 2000 but has now relocated to a more spacious and prominent location at 30 Newgate Street. This relocation project was led by Building Design Northern (BDN), a northern architectural and engineering firm, who supported the Society’s plans for the move.
BDN worked closely with the Society and submitted a planning application to Durham County Council, which received approval. This allowed for the creation of a new commercial entrance and secure shopfront to safeguard the Society’s operations.
Amidst the closure of local branches by major banks, Darlington Building Society’s investment in the high street demonstrates its commitment to providing face-to-face customer service. This investment aims to deliver dedicated and high-quality service to all members.
Louise Thorpe, the distribution director at Darlington Building Society, expressed their dedication to remaining on the high street and investing in their branches. She highlighted how the Bishop Auckland branch is the latest addition to their investment program and praised the positive reception it has received from the community, colleagues, and members.
The Society’s new shopfront aligns with Durham County Council’s Heritage Action Zone Design Guide, ensuring it blends well with the traditional aesthetics of the Bishop Auckland setting.
Gary Ward, a senior architectural project manager at BDN, shared his pride in working with Darlington Building Society on various refurbishment and relocation projects. BDN, which originally started as an engineering firm in Darlington in 1983, has now expanded to become a dynamic and ambitious professional services business, offering nationwide architecture, engineering, and project management services. Ward expressed enthusiasm about future collaborations with Darlington Building Society on upcoming branch projects.
