25th October 2023
Find out more about our Hazel Grove Branch Re-opening.
We've been in Hazel Grove since 1981, and we've seen many things change during this period. Throughout this time, it's been our pleasure to serve this community at our branch. Refurbishing our Hazel Grove branch is our commitment to the community and a message to those who remain - we're here to stay. As a Society, we have spent six weeks modernising and updating the entire interior and adding new digital screens in the window to create a better experience for our Members and colleagues in our branch.
We officially re-opened our Hazel Grove branch with a community event attended by our Members, local charity - Pure Innovations, our colleagues, and of course our favourite Vernon Bear!
Our Chief Executive Steve Fletcher spoke at our re-opening event:
“I’m delighted to re-open Vernon’s Hazel Grove branch today. It looks fantastic, and I’m sure our Members, alongside our loyal colleagues, will value the changes that we’ve made.
“Vernon opened this branch in Hazel Grove 44 years ago, and we’re just as committed as we were back then to providing face-to-face financial support around mortgages and savings.
“Managing one’s finances today can feel more complicated than ever with so much choice and conflicting information out there. We know our Members value walking into a branch to chat with a qualified person, rather than being put on hold in an overseas call centre. That’s why we’re investing in our branches this year and will continue to do so whilst so many other banks and building societies are closing them down.”
At our event, we asked long-time Member Mr Winder to cut a ribbon to officially open our newly refurbished branch. He has had a personal account with us since 1997 and a Clubs and Charities account since 2010 for his local allotment association. He told our guests:
“Thirty years ago I walked down the high street here to find a bank for our Association and no one would have us. Vernon welcomed me with open arms, and I’ve never looked back. They always have time for you.
"It’s nice to have a lovely modern branch in the local area to serve the local people. I’ve been a Member for decades and I really value Vernon’s friendly staff and prompt and efficient service.”
That's not all yet, over the coming months we'll have refurbished three of our branches, working alongside local contractors and builders to continue supporting our community. Our flagship branch, St Petersgate is the next to be updated.
We love our new branch, but it's nothing without our Members and the community around us. We're here for Hazel Grove, and don't plan on going anywhere.