Chorley Building Society

Bowman Riley is transforming the Chorley Building Society high street branch in Chorley, taking it from a traditional design to a modern, open-plan space.

The Society wanted to update its busiest branch while staying true to its community roots and values. Our client sought a design that blended elements of nature with its brand’s signature purple, reflecting its deep connection to the local community.

We took the project from the initial brief through to completion, delivering the concept design, technical pack, and tendering process and supporting the contractor’s appointment. We are currently supporting through the construction phase, providing the tendering support and contract administration.

In consideration of the Chorley branch’s older clientele, key design considerations included the existing entrance doors, which, while technically accessible, were difficult to use. We proposed new sliding doors to provide easier access, which is especially important given the branch’s older clientele. Dementia-friendly finishes were specified, with light reflectance values of contrasting materials meeting recommended levels.

Security was a top priority throughout the design. We included an airlock for additional security around the safe room and carefully planned door swings – for instance, the door into the back of the house space opens outwards into the main hall for extra strength. A small digital screen in the back-of-house will display a live CCTV feed from the banking hall so staff can monitor potential threats. We integrated panic buttons into bespoke banking desks and back-of-house areas for emergency situations, ensuring safety for all.

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