The former H Samuel unit in Gentleman’s Walk will soon be home to a new Co-operative Bank branch, which is set to open on December 18. The space has been vacant for over three years since the jeweller closed during the coronavirus pandemic. Renovations are currently underway to transform the ground floor into a space for counters and offices, while the lower ground floor is being converted into an archive and communal staff area. Additionally, a new ATM machine has already been installed in the shopfront entrance of the new branch. The only other Co-operative Bank branch in Norwich, located at London Street, has recently been put up for sale.
In response to the decline in banking services in the Norwich area, the opening of the new Co-operative Bank branch aims to reduce the number of branch closures. This comes at a time when the Mile Cross NatWest branch has recently closed, leaving the suburb with only one bank. Amidst these closures, government plans have emerged to pressure banks to ensure that customers have access to cash within three miles. It is clear that the opening of the new Co-operative Bank branch is a response to the decline in banking services in the area, and aims to provide customers with greater accessibility to banking facilities.
The decision to open a new Co-operative Bank branch in the former H Samuel unit is a significant development for the Norwich area, as it will fill the void left by the closure of the jeweller during the pandemic. The renovation of the site is reflective of the bank’s commitment to providing enhanced services to customers in the region, with the new branch set to offer a range of banking facilities. Furthermore, the installation of a new ATM machine demonstrates the bank’s dedication to ensuring that customers have convenient access to cash. Overall, the opening of the new Co-operative Bank branch in Gentleman’s Walk is intended to address the decline in banking services in the Norwich area and provide customers with greater accessibility to banking facilities.
The opening of the new Co-operative Bank branch in Gentleman’s Walk is a timely response to the closure of other banking facilities in the Norwich area, such as the Mile Cross NatWest branch. As the only other Co-operative Bank branch in the city, the decision to open a new branch reflects the bank’s commitment to maintaining a strong presence in the region. With government plans emerging to pressure banks to ensure that customers have access to cash within three miles, the new branch is well positioned to provide the local community with essential banking services. Overall, the opening of the new Co-operative Bank branch aligns with the bank’s efforts to address the decline in banking services in the Norwich area and provide customers with enhanced accessibility to banking facilities.
