Bendigo Bank cuts the ribbon on new Bendigo ‘branch of the future’

In an innovative first for the City of Greater Bendigo, Bendigo Bank has today unveiled its newly revamped Mitchell Street 'branch of the future'.

Designed, developed and built in partnership with the Public Design Group and Total Fitouts Central VIC, the newly renovated space is the fifth addition to the Bank’s growing ‘branch of the future’ collection which already includes sister branches in Carlton (VIC), Norwood (SA), Leichhardt and Coffs Harbour (NSW).

With a brand legacy steeped in community and innovation, and a purpose to feed into prosperity, Bendigo Bank’s redevelopment of its Mitchell Street branch is part of its wider strategy to reshape the Bank’s business for the future, so it can continue to better serve the needs of its customers, and the wider community whilst also supporting local businesses, artists and creatives alike.

To further understand these needs and requirements, the Bank - as part of the planning process - canvassed feedback from Bendigo residents, local businesses, creatives and customers of the other four recently established ‘branches of the future’, to help inform Mitchell Street’s new contemporary design, improve its functionality and redefine the overall customer experience.

As well as a fresh new look and design, the new Mitchell Street branch also features:

• A free retail pop-up space in which local businesses and creatives can showcase their work, in a high exposure retail setting, for a two-week period;
• An art gallery space - fronting onto Mitchell Street - where local artists can exhibit and sell their artwork for free;
• A community event space available for hire for meetings, workshops and small events, when COVID safe to do so;
• Three vibrant murals painted by local artists Nacho Station (Reece Hendy), Troy Firebrace and renowned mural and street artist, George Rose and;
• An Instagram page @bendigobankbendigo to showcase the space and the activities within.

Justine Minne, State Manager Regional Victoria and Tasmania, Bendigo Bank, said the opening of the newly refurbished Mitchell Street branch is an exciting development for the Bank, its customers and the wider Bendigo community.

“In line with our commitment to reduce complexity, invest in capability and tell our story to reshape our business for the future, we’re proud to bring our ‘branch of the future’ initiative to Bendigo for the very first time,” Ms Minne said.

“This year, we accelerated the modernisation and optimisation of the Bank’s physical distribution network with the opening of four new community-focused ‘branches of the future in Leichhardt, Coffs Harbour, Carlton and now, Bendigo.

“Our branches across Australia remain a critical part of our retail distribution strategy and provide a significant source of stable customer deposits, and community connection. However, we recognise we must evolve the size, look and feel of our branches over time, so we can continue to meet our customers’ needs while also exploring the development of new, innovative ways of working.

“The Bank is dedicated to providing our customers and communities with improved access to information, experts, technology, services and products in ways they value.

“We believe our newly revitalised Mitchell Street ‘branch of the future’ can provide this for Bendigo’s strong mix of community-minded residents and innovative small businesses, while at the same time supplying a platform for local entrepreneurs and organisations from which to explore creative solutions and road-test their ideas in a COVID safe environment,” Ms Minne concluded.

Local artist, Duffy, will be the first to exhibit at the branch’s new art gallery space, while the first local business to access the retail pop-up will be Coral & Herb, Simone Willis’ quirky, handcrafted homewares and accessories label which produces unique, handmade concrete homewares, planters and woven wall hangings.

Simone Willis, Creator and Owner, Coral & Herb, said she is excited at the prospect of becoming the first Bendigo business to take up residency at the new retail pop-up space in the Bendigo Bank Mitchell Street branch from 24 November – 5 December.

“This new and easily accessible retail pop up space is a wonderful addition to the city and provides local designers and artisans with a fantastic opportunity to showcase their work in a high footfall location, synonymous with Bendigo,” Ms Willis said.

“I’m really looking forward to ‘setting up shop’ in the new space and displaying and exhibiting my concrete creations for the Bendigo community. Our city has such a vibrant art and creative scene and after a difficult year, I hope this is just the first step in the recovery process for my little business and the hundreds of others in the locality,” Ms Willis concluded.

Bendigo Bank shares revenue with hundreds of communities across Australia. Since its establishment in 1998, the Community Bank network has returned more than $251 million in profits back to local communities to fund important local projects and initiatives.

Bendigo Bank Mitchell Street, 89 Mitchell Street, Bendigo is open for business from 9.30am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.00pm. For regular updates, follow Bendigo Bank Mitchell Street on Instagram - @bendigobankbendigo