Few Stockport businesses can claim to have served customers of so many different generations - from those born in the Victorian age, through to Gen Z. 

Vernon Building Society is one of the few. From its first handwritten ledgers, through the post-war years, past the dawn of computers and up to the birth of the internet, the story of this local business is shot through with 100 years of history. 

Since its foundation in 1924, Vernon has been a staple of Stockport. With a headquarters on Petersgate, and branches all across the borough, it has helped generations of locals buy homes, make savings, and more. 

As Vernon celebrates its centenary, we spoke with Steve Fletcher (CEO) and Andrea Cain (People & Culture Lead) to learn more about the remarkable story of Greater Manchester's only remaining local building society. 

They started the year by poring over the business' archives. 

An original handwritten ledger showing some of Vernon's earliest customers - now proudly on display in their Petersgate office (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Find out more about the accounts you can open with Vernon on their website.

"There was just so much to go through" Andrea explains. "We actually got a local historian in just to help us go through it. [...] 

"We unearthed so many interesting items... the first customers in the 1920s, records of veterans returning from WWII buying their first homes..." 

Still, trawling through this wealth of documentary history was crucial. As Steve explains, it gave a sense not just of how rich the history of the business was, but it also served as a reminder of how the business started, and its core aims. It also showed how these aims are remarkably similar to what they are still today. 

"We feel like we're carrying on a legacy", he said. "Vernon started out as a safe place for people's savings, and to help them buy a home, and that's never changed." 

When Vernon started out 100 years ago, it was one of 12 local building societies. To this day, it is the only one that has survived.

A brief history of Vernon Building Society (Image - Alasdair Perry)

What sets a local building society apart, then? Steve and Andrea first of all emphasise the importance of remaining accessible for people.

"People don't want to deal with faceless organisations", Steve explained. "We do have lots of services online, but we know lots of people still like the in-person approach. [...] 

"Our profits are reinvested into keeping this kind of service going." 

Similarly, Steve points out that Vernon staff are always accessible on the phone. Every local branch has its own phone number, meaning you can speak to the most relevant place as quickly as possible.

And when you do call up, you'll be speaking with a human; to this day, the business does not use 'Interactive Voice Technology' on its phone system (that's when your call is greeted by an automated response that filters your requests).

Steve Fletcher, CEO of Vernon Building Society (Image supplied)

"We're really proud of how well-connected we are to the local community", Andrea adds. "Like the way our branches are laid out - we're designed for people to easily just wander in and get help when they need it." 

Lots of what Vernon does is therefore generative for its local area - whether that's a Stockport branch, or elsewhere, as the business looks to expand into Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

Vernon has made great effort over the years to support not just local customers, but also to employ local people, give to local charities and schools, and to support other businesses - indeed, even Vernon's building work is carried out by local contractors. 

"People don't want to deal with faceless organisations"

And it's why Steve and Andrea are happy to see so much regeneration in Stockport. 

"It's a place on the up", Steve says. "It's fast becoming the next big place outside Manchester city centre." 

Vernon has also been helping to contribute to Stockport's feelgood factor with some special centenary celebrations. 

Vernon has been based in Stockport for the past 100 years (Image supplied)

For Andrea, these have been among the highlights of her career at Vernon so far. 

"One of the best things was burying a time capsule with St Joseph's School", she said. "We wanted to have a legacy piece to celebrate 100 years, so we buried a time capsule with some modern artefacts chosen by the school council - hopefully it'll give a sense of what Stockport was like in 2024 for future generations." 

The capsule is scheduled for opening in a further hundred years' time - in 2124.

And on the subject of looking to the future, what can Vernon's customers look forward to in the ensuing years? 

Steve outlines plans for Vernon's new 'community hubs'. These will offer banking services across Greater Manchester and Cheshire - specifically in areas without a high street banking presence. They will be based in small local spots such as shops and libraries. 

A little slice of Stockport's history preserved for posterity! (Image supplied)

"Customers use in-person branches less, but it doesn't mean they don't use them at all", he said. "With these community hubs, we'll bring a face to face, personal service to new areas. You'll be able to open accounts, deal with your money, that kind of thing." 

Andrea also describes how Vernon will continue to support local charity projects and other initiatives across Stockport, Greater Manchester and Cheshire. 

"We have our Charitable Foundation and our Community Stars initiatives", she explained. "So we help sports organisations, disability charities, food banks..."

"Customers use in-person branches less, but it doesn't mean they don't use them at all"

Furthermore, Vernon will also continue its practice of sending its staff on paid volunteer days - sometimes local charities need an extra pair of hands, and here Vernon is happy to oblige! 

Find out more about Vernon's grant schemes HERE.

Here's to another 100 years of success!

Find more about Vernon Building Society on their website.

Vernon Building Society is a sponsor of Stockport Nub News. Support from local businesses such as them helps us keep our local news free and easy-to-read. If you own a local business and would like to sponsor us, get in touch at [email protected].

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