Vernon Building Society begins regional expansion with first community branch in Saddleworth

22 September 2026

• New Uppermill branch marks the first step in the Society’s ambitious plan to establish a presence in all Greater Manchester boroughs
• The Vernon bucks the trend for high street banking closures with a refreshing commitment to bring face-to-face savings and mortgage services to underserved communities

Vernon Building Society is beginning an ambitious expansion across Greater Manchester with the opening of its first community branch in Uppermill this November.

The new branch represents the first step in the Society’s plan to establish a presence in every Greater Manchester borough, bringing its personal, relationship-led approach to savings and mortgages to communities with limited access to high-street financial services.

The community branch will be based at 92–94 High Street, home of Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers and Albion House Wealth Management, giving the Vernon a presence in an established local high-street setting. Customers will be able to meet with the Society’s colleagues face to face to discuss their savings, mortgages and other important financial decisions Tuesday to Thursday, 10am–4pm.

The opening represents a major milestone for the Vernon, extending its community focused presence beyond its established branch network in Bramhall, Hazel Grove, Marple, Poynton, Reddish and Stockport. It also signals the start of an exciting new chapter, with Saddleworth becoming the first of several planned community branches designed to bring accessible, personal service closer to local people.

The part-time branch model, hosted within trusted local organisations rather than operating from standalone premises, will allow the Society to establish a physical presence in more Greater Manchester and Cheshire communities while continuing to invest in its existing network.

Darren Ditchburn, CEO at Vernon Building Society, said:

“The opening of our first community branch in Uppermill is an important milestone for the Vernon and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Society. We’re proud of our Stockport roots, but our ambition is to bring the Vernon’s personal, relationship-led approach to more underserved communities across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

“Many people across the region still want to speak to someone face to face, particularly when making important decisions about saving or buying a home. By working with Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers and Albion House Wealth Management, our community branch model allows us to bring that personal service to more high streets lacking a branch presence.

“We have plans to expand this new community branch network model to bring the Vernon closer to more residents and businesses across the region, with further locations planned for 2027.”

Founded in Stockport in 1924, Vernon Building Society has more than a century of experience helping people across Greater Manchester and Cheshire save, buy homes and plan for their financial futures. As an independent, locally based mutual, the Society is now investing in a new generation of branches and community locations across the region.

The expansion comes at a time when the North West has experienced a significant reduction in access to high-street banking. Since 2015, 785 bank and building society branches have closed across the North West, leaving many communities with fewer opportunities to access financial services in person. Oldham East and Saddleworth have lost over 75 per cent of their banking facilities since 2015. The last remaining bank in Uppermill, NatWest, closed its High Street branch in 2016, leaving residents without a traditional bank in the area.

The Vernon’s growth is supported by a planned expansion of new branches over the next five years and follows a recent refurbishment programme across the Society’s six existing branches. Together, the programmes represent an investment of nearly £2 million in local high streets to provide accessible, welcoming spaces for members and customers at a time when many larger banks are reducing their branch networks to cut costs.

Joanne Ormston, Director, Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers, and Richard Eastwood, Director, Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers and Albion House Wealth Management, said:

“We are delighted to welcome the Vernon into our shared office space in Uppermill. Our organisations share a real commitment to giving people and businesses access to trusted, quality advice right where they need it. The arrival of the Vernon adds another important dimension to the services available to the local community. We have created a real powerhouse by bringing together legal and financial expertise under one roof.”

Beyond expanding access to its services, the Uppermill opening brings the Vernon’s member-owned model to a new community. Owned by its members rather than shareholders, the Society takes a long-term approach, focusing on the interests of its members and the communities it serves.

This local focus is reflected through the Vernon Charitable Foundation and Community Stars programme, which together awarded more than £37,500 to local charities and not-for-profit organisations in 2025. The Society also reached more than 1,700 students through its financial education programme last year, while colleagues dedicated more than 100 volunteering days to local causes.

The Vernon’s community activity in Greater Manchester and Cheshire helps the Society build lasting relationships with local organisations, schools, charities and community groups as it expands across the region.