Bank branch moves to Bridge Mall

BALLARAT’S relocated central Commonwealth Bank branch officially opened in the Bridge Mall earlier this week.

Branch manager Chris Butterworth said the 38–40 Bridge Mall site offers day-to-day banking, home lending, and business and agri-business banking.

“Our customers have all the specialist support that they need all in the one spot,” he said.

“We’ve been operating in Ballarat for 112 years. We’ll continue to invest in our local community.”

The design of the Bridge Mall space began six months ago ahead of the branch’s relocation from the corner of Sturt and Lydiard streets.

Butterworth said there has been some substantial investment into the mall.

“I think the council’s put in over $20m to redevelop it, to get the street through,” he said.

“And now this amazing $6m investment from Commonwealth Bank to open such a flagship branch is absolutely amazing, and you can see the traffic start to flow through.

“There’s lots of new stores in the mall as well coming through. As we go, I’m sure that will continue, to see more and more new stores.”

Butterworth said the aim of the branch was to help customers.

“Every customer that needs to come into the branch for that specialised care, or to see our tellers, or to use our machines or our electronic banking at the front, our goal’s to make sure every single customer is supported along the way,” he said.

Former branch manager Colleen Cornips helped cut the ribbon to officially open the relocated facility.

“It is just a beautiful asset to have I think, and such a great thing for Bridge Mall,” she said.

“It’s such a lovely space for customers and staff to be working in. It really adds value to Bridge Mall.”