A MUTUAL is expanding its presence in a town to meet enduring demand for its traditional over-thecounter services.

Newcastle Building Society is opening a 1,300sq ft base in Darlington’s Horsemarket.

The site, expected to open in May, will replace an existing branch in the town’s Skinnergate.

The move comes after Andrew Haigh, chief executive, told The Northern Echo that the business would remain dedicated to offering customers the personal touch.

Under its changes, the mutual’s existing Darlington branch will remain open until its Horsemarket space is ready, with a five-strong team, led by manager Gemma Manson, moving to the new location.

Damian Thompson, customer director, said: “While our telephone and digital services are extremely well used, our branch network remains at the heart of the services we provide.

“People prefer a face-to-face discussion when making important decisions, and the private meeting rooms for our advisers, alongside an open and welcoming space for general transactions, provides the right environment for that.”

The investment comes after the company made changes to a number of its locations and returned to Yarm, near Stockton, in what officials say is the UK’s first library-based mutual.

Last month, Mr Haigh told the Echo he expects the firm to go on creating new jobs this year after strong mortgage demand helped push profits higher and provided scope to deliver 118 posts in 2016.

The company saw both mortgage lending and profits rise last year, despite a competitive landscape, after building on a £10m growth programme.

He added: “We expect to do a similar number (of jobs) this year with investment right across the business.”