Announcement of Bank’s Closure Welcomes New Opportunities For The Guildford Institute

Published on: 22 Nov, 2021
Updated on: 25 Nov, 2021

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) will be closing its Guildford branch on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

The news has been announced by the Guildford Institute, as it owns the ground floor of its building facing North Street and Ward Street and currently leases it to the bank.

The Guildford Institute’s building with the Royal Bank of Scotland’s branch on the ground floor facing North Street and Ward Street.

The Guildford Institute reports that RBS’s tenancy delivers a significant part of the Institute’s income, which enables it to provide a wide variety of activities for the local community.

In a statement the Institute adds that it has been preparing for this eventuality for some time and will now be using this opportunity to review all of its options going forward. These could include finding a new tenant or using the space itself.

The Institute says it is confident in its ability to ensure the best possible outcome for the way ahead.

The chairperson of the Guildford Institute, Brian Creese, said: “The news of RBS’s departure did not come as a huge surprise and although we are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, we are excited by this new chapter in our history.”

This ground floor part of the Guildford Institute has been used as a bank for many years. It has held a long association with both the RBS and previously the historic Williams & Glyn Bank.

New spring brochure now available

The Guildford Institute is a wonderful educational and social community hub, and has just released its spring brochure.

Alongside its varied programme of courses, workshops and talks, this term will also see the launch of the Institute’s A to Z Art History Evening Lecture Series and the return of its popular visits.

The Institute will continue to run its activities in-person, online and in hybrid format, not only offering flexibility for attendees but enabling its programme to be enjoyed by those further afield.

Coinciding with Women’s History Month throughout March, and International Women’s Day (March 8), the Institute has opted for a termly focus titled Inspirational Women.

It plans to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women to society through a range of activities and events.

Explore the life of Hatshepsut – The Queen who became King, get creative with a Frida Kahlo inspired painting workshop, learn about the Fight for the Vote for Women in the Surrey Hills and much more.

The spring term will see the start of the Institute’s brand new evening lecture series, the A to Z of Art History. Each month, one of its knowledgeable art history tutors will explore a subject connected to an alphabetical letter.

The series will begin with Angels in the Age of Science: 19th and 20th Century Artistic Representations, with three further lectures planned for the term.

Two ‘Make Your Own Way’ visits will be on offer: uncover one of Surrey’s true hidden gems with a trip to Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village or enjoy a visit to Chawton House in Hampshire, an Elizabethan manor house with strong links to Jane Austen.

Sunset at Wittering, by local artist Fiona Pearce.

The cover of the spring 2022 brochure features Sunset at Wittering, by local artist Fiona Pearce.

Seeing the world as a series of shapes, Fiona used electric colours to create semi-abstract landscapes, many of which reflect the Surrey and Hampshire countryside.

The spring term runs from January 5 to April 8. Advance booking for all Institute activities is essential.

To order a free copy of the Institute’s spring brochure, call 01483 562142 or email info@guildford-institute.org.uk.

For more information, or to make a booking, visit www.guildford-institute.org.uk

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