Kendal Leeds Building Society Branch To Stay Open Until At Least 2031

Kendal customers will continue to have access to a local Leeds Building Society branch under a new commitment extending face to face services for at least five years.

The building society has pledged that its branch on Stricklandgate will remain open until at least September 2031, forming part of a nationwide commitment covering all 51 of its branches. The announcement comes as the Kendal branch undergoes refurbishment, with the premises currently closed while improvement work is completed. The branch is scheduled to reopen on October 26 with a refreshed interior and updated facilities.

The Kendal branch has been temporarily closed since August 7 while the refurbishment takes place. During the closure period, customers have been directed towards the society's nearest alternative branches in Yeadon and Harrogate. The temporary arrangement will remain in place until the Kendal premises reopen, after which customers will once again be able to access services locally.

The branch is located at 83 Stricklandgate in the centre of Kendal and provides a face to face service for members who prefer to manage their finances in person. Its continued operation will provide local customers with an alternative to conducting all their banking through online or telephone services.

Leeds Building Society said its wider branch commitment means none of its 51 branches will be permanently closed for the next five years, with the pledge running until at least September 2031. The society said branches remain important to many members and that customers should continue to have access to familiar ways of managing their money.

The commitment also includes maintaining access to passbooks, which remain an option for members who prefer this traditional way of keeping track of their savings. The society said it intends to retain passbooks across its branch network rather than moving entirely towards digital account management.

Customers will also be able to visit branches without making an appointment. The society has said it will aim to help people when they arrive, providing an option for those who need assistance but do not want to arrange a scheduled meeting in advance.

The society's branch promises also include a commitment to provide face to face support during normal weekday opening hours. Its stated branch hours are generally from 9.30am to 4.45pm on weekdays, although customers are advised to check individual branch arrangements before travelling.

The decision to retain the Kendal branch comes alongside a wider set of commitments covering savings services. Leeds Building Society has said it will not introduce savings accounts that are available only to new customers, meaning existing members will continue to have access to its range of savings products.

The society has also promised that customers will be offered the best available rate for their chosen account when an account reaches maturity, subject to the terms of its savings arrangements. It said the approach is intended to provide greater certainty for existing savers when deciding what to do with their money at maturity.

The organisation has emphasised that customers will continue to be able to speak to someone when branches are open. Members will also be able to contact the society by telephone, providing an alternative route for those who cannot visit a branch or prefer to deal with their finances remotely.

The refurbishment of the Kendal premises means customers are currently unable to use the branch while work is underway. The planned reopening date of October 26 will return local face to face services to Stricklandgate, subject to the completion of the refurbishment programme.

The improvements are intended to give the Kendal branch a refreshed appearance as part of the building society's ongoing work across its network. The organisation has confirmed that the premises will reopen with a new look following the period of closure.

Planning records also show that proposals connected with the Kendal branch have included new signage and changes to the appearance of the premises. The application relates to the building on Stricklandgate and forms part of the work being carried out at the branch.

For customers who have needed branch services during the temporary closure, Yeadon and Harrogate have been identified as the nearest alternative Leeds Building Society locations. Once the Kendal branch reopens, customers will no longer need to travel to those branches for routine face to face services available locally.

The longer term commitment provides greater certainty for members who value having a physical branch within Kendal. While digital and telephone banking services remain available, the society has stated that its branch network will continue to play a role in supporting customers who want personal assistance with their finances.

Leeds Building Society's pledge applies across its wider branch network and is currently set to remain in place until September 2031. The commitment is subject to circumstances beyond the society's reasonable control, including legal, regulatory or safety requirements, but represents a stated intention to keep all 51 branches operating during the period.

The Kendal branch is therefore expected to remain part of the local high street for the foreseeable future, with its reopening planned for October following the current refurbishment. The society's wider announcement also signals its intention to maintain face to face banking and traditional savings services as part of its offering to members.

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