Building society starts new chapter in town library

Newcastle Building Society has opened the doors to its latest branch in Knaresborough, helping restore access to financial services for local residents and businesses.

Since the last bank left Knaresborough in 2021, Newcastle Building Society has worked in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council to open a community branch within Knaresborough’s library.

Newcastle Building Society also plans to install a OneBanx multi-bank transaction terminal in its Knaresborough community branch, improving access to cash for both personal and business users.

Andrew Haigh, chief executive officer at Newcastle Building Society, said: “I’m delighted to formally open our new branch in Knaresborough and to become part of this vibrant community. The feedback from residents and other businesses in the town has been fantastic and we’re looking forward to establishing a long and mutually beneficial presence in the town.

“We’re facing into a cost of living crisis which will impact every household budget in the country so I can’t think of a time when it has been more important for people to have access to the face-to-face financial services they need. Our members tell us time and again how much they value our branch network, and whilst so many banks are closing branches, we remain absolutely committed to the high streets across our region.”

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for libraries, Cllr Greg White, said: “The opening of a Newcastle Building Society branch in Knaresborough library has been welcomed in the local community. They already offer a community branch within Hawes library which has proved very popular with those who need access to cash, and is a great way of multi-purposing an already well-used building.

“The offer of financial services has significantly increased footfall into Knaresborough library and is encouraging new visitors through the doors.”