THE new branch of Newcastle Building Society was filled with people last week as it held its official opening event.

Customers came together on Thursday to explore the new space, on Beaumont street, and chat to staff about the services on offer.

The branch had been open for two weeks but this was its official launch, where drinks were handed out before a grand raffle was drawn.

It had moved down the road from its old branch into the former Dickinson’s store on Beaumont Street in Hexham.

The move was part of the building society’s branch network investment programme. Branch manager Hannah Samuel said: “It has gone really, really well. The feedback from the customers has been really positive and there has been a lot of interest in our new community space, which is somewhere groups and charities can use to meet with no charge.”