Tag: Clydesdale Bank

Clydesdale no more

VIRGIN MONEY INVESTS IN NEW FLAGSHIP STORE IN SCOTLAND’S CAPITAL

  • New store first of its kind in Scotland
  • 55 Clydesdale Bank branches will rebrand to Virgin Money Stores
  • Entire nationwide network of stores will operate under the new Virgin Money brand by spring 2021

Virgin Money has opened its state-of-the-art flagship Store in Edinburgh as part of its UK wide store rebrand programme.

The new flagship store located at 83 George Street, is the latest example of Virgin Money’s innovative approach to what a bank branch can offer. Once Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, customers will be able to experience the full range of the new store’s features, including  a space for entrepreneurs to co-work and create, a venue for events and much more as Virgin Money invests in UK high streets as part of its nation-wide rebrand.

The multi-million-pound rebranding of its national network of Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank and Virgin Money sites to the new Virgin Money branding will be completed by spring 2021, bringing all stores under a single brand.

Each rebranded store will offer full banking services to all 6.6 million customers in the Virgin Money Group, vastly increasing the network of available stores to existing Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank and Virgin Money customers. Over the coming months customers will also begin to see credit cards, banking apps and account statements change to Virgin Money as part of its wider rebrand activity.

Customers will continue to benefit from the same friendly and knowledgeable teams, providing excellent customer service and access to a wide range of Virgin Money products and services from current account to mortgages and credit cards. Customers will also have access to exclusive products and services from the wider Virgin Group of businesses.

Paul Titterton, Head of Personal Distribution at Virgin Money said: “These are exciting times for Virgin Money as we invest in our stores and move to a single brand for all customers.

“The new George Street store brings together the very best of digital banking with a unique offering on the high street. It’s a new chapter for our history, and our new approach to stores proves that a bank branch can be a buzzing creative space where businesses and people can come together.

“We can’t wait for the Covid restrictions to lift so customers can enjoy the full Virgin experience in our new Edinburgh store.”

As part of the programme 55 Clydesdale Bank branches will be rebranded to Virgin Money Stores across Scotland.

Virgin Money are in communication with its customers in advance of their own branch being rebranded to let them know about when they can expect the changes to be made.

New Clydesdale Bank notes to raise funds for hospice care

New £10 polymer bank notes from Clydesdale Bank will go under the virtual hammer to raise funds for hospice care this week. A limited number of the new £10 notes with collectable low serial numbers will be sold through auction site eBay from 9pm on Sunday 24th September, closing at 9pm on Sunday 1st October. All proceeds from the auction will go to Hospice UK. Continue reading New Clydesdale Bank notes to raise funds for hospice care

A nation divided …

… and it’s nothing to do with the Referendum!

lites

With Christmas just around the corner new research from Clydesdale Bank has shown that the nation is divided over the very thing that makes Christmas sparkle – this country’s love affair with outdoor festive lights!

Almost half of us (47%) said we love seeing lots of brightly lit Santas, snowmen and reindeers outside of houses at this time of year. However, almost a third have a more ‘bah humbug’ approach to lighting up the festive season.

The survey revealed that 14% of us think they are a waste of money and a further 11% actually wishing their neighbours wouldn’t decorate the outside of their homes. Nearly one in ten (8%) of those surveyed said they simply don’t like Christmas decorations while a sixth (15%) said they would like to put lights outside their home but the cost of powering them puts them off.

But despite mixed views the majority of the nation is getting into the festive spirit with 57% of us saying we are looking forward to spending time with family and friends.

However this time of year is also proving to be stressful for some with almost a fifth of those surveyed admitting that they are worried about paying for Christmas and a further 19% stating that Christmas shopping is their least favourite part of the build-up to the big day.

Andrew Pearce, Retail Director for Clydesdale Bank, said: “Our research has shown that people either love or loathe outdoor Christmas lights.  Some view them as extravagant and an unnecessary waste of money and electricity whilst others enjoy the Christmas atmosphere they bring to the community.

“Whatever decorations you opt for this year, it’s still possible to have fun this festive season without blowing the budget.”

Clydesdale Bank’s simple tips to save money this Christmas:

  1. Set a budget – and stick to it. Work out how much you can afford to spend and don’t exceed this amount.
  2. Remember the most expensive present is not necessarily the best. Sometimes a more thoughtful, personal gift can be more appreciated. For example, new parents may prefer the offer of babysitting rather than more perfume or aftershave.
  3. Shop about – when you have decided what you want to buy, look for the best bargain. Many shops have sales in the run-up to Christmas, so pick your purchasing timing wisely.
  4. Group together – rather than buying gifts for every one of your friends individually, why not hold a secret Santa where each person buys for just one friend?
  5. Have a family feast – ask your guests to bring a course or some goodies with them so you don’t have sole responsibility for Christmas dinner. It could simply be bringing the wine or the Christmas crackers but will help you share the expense.

What’s your view – tacky or terrific? Let us kno-ho-ho!

lights

 

Spirit of the Community awards for local groups

The Water of Leith Conservation Trust and Pilton Equalities Project (PEP) are among twenty four community groups from across Scotland to share in a funding boost of £175,000 to make a real difference in their local areas.

Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards announced the substantial donations to voluntary groups at an awards ceremony in Glasgow earlier this week to recognise the charities and not-for-profit organisations which are going the extra mile.

Water of Leith Conservation Trust has been awarded £10,000 to support its community and volunteer development programme which aims to target new groups and extend existing partnerships.  The funding will be used to increase the hours of the Community and Volunteer Officer, purchase additional equipment such as litter picks, produce a volunteer guidance pack and cover staff training costs.

Pilton Equalities Project (PEP), which aims to enhance the quality of life for older and other vulnerable adults in North Edinburgh, has been awarded £5,000 to expand its literacy programme, combining both literacy and employability skills.

Another award for Edinburgh was National Trust for Scotland, awarded £5,000 to assist with its ‘Beyond the Gate’ six month pilot project which will deliver weekly events at the Hailesland Child & Family Centre in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh.  National Trust will work in collaboration with the centre staff to deliver a gardening programme focused on growing food and promoting healthy eating as well as outdoor learning.

The awards, which launched in January this year to mark the Bank’s 175th Anniversary, were open to a range of organisations across the third sector which could demonstrate their support for the local community.  Groups were invited to enter the awards scheme under one of three categories; education, employability and environment.

Three winners have been selected in each category, securing a funding boost of £10,000. An additional five winners in each category have been awarded £5,000.  A further £10,000 was awarded to one charity whose contribution to the community the judges felt was outstanding meaning one organisation received £20,000.

David Thorburn, Chief Executive of Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, said: “Clydesdale Bank’s Spirit of the Community Awards aim to recognise and support the vital contribution that voluntary and charitable organisations make to their local communities. It has been inspiring to see the great work which is being done at grass roots level across the country. “Water of Leith Conservation Trust, Pilton Equalities Project and National Trust for Scotland are extremely deserving winners which have been recognised for their community spirit with these awards from Clydesdale Bank.”

The recipients said they were delighted to receive the awards. Helen Brown, Trust Manager at Water of Leith Conservation Trust, said: “As a small charity this kind of investment in our work and that of our volunteers means an enormous amount. We work to keep Edinburgh’s river clean, green and full of wildlife. Thank you to Clydesdale Bank for recognising our work and choosing to support us.”

Helen Brown is pictured below (centre) with Water of Leith’s award

CB Awards