Bank branches in the high streets: it’s time for a re-think!

Up and down the UK, bank branches have been closing, leaving high streets, businesses and residents reeling. Yet, a large number of us still rely on bank branches. Replacing a bank with an app is simply not an option for everyone, as nearly 50% of people say that they do not use any apps to manage their finances (source: YouGov).

At Dozens, we don’t think all of banking problems are going to be solved digitally. Real world innovation is just as important. We put customers at the centre of everything we do, so we’re inviting you to invent the future of bank branches together. We can’t do this without you.

We want to find out:

● What is important to you when it comes to a bank branch, as a consumer? Or as a Small Business?

● When do you prefer to walk into a bank branch and talk to someone, and when are you comfortable solving matters yourself?

● Which other services or skills could the bank supply to you and your business?

● What could the bank branch look and feel like in the future?

Our team will get to know you and together we will create a prototype for the bank branch of the future!

What’s in it for you?

● You will meet a diverse range of people who have all come together to make banking better.

● You will learn how a fintech startup develops new products and services.

● You will get to influence the design of the future bank branch.

● You will receive £50 in cash in exchange for your time and ideas (£100 cash if you come from outside London).

● You will be entered into a prize draw to win an Ipad (if you are a small business owner) or an Apple watch (if you are a consumer)

Event Details:

Date: 12 July, 10am – 4pm

Place: Paddington Arts, 32 Woodfield Road, London, W9 2BE, UK

We need you to be present for the whole day but we guarantee that you will enjoy yourself and that it will be worth your time.

The product leads and our customer leads will be there and are excited to hear your stories!

Why in Harrow Road?

Harrow Road in the London Borough of Westminster is a struggling high street. It has been ranked the third worst in the country by economic performance, and the worst in London. The last bank branch on Harrow Road closed down a while back.

Dozens has teamed up with Westminster City Council to explore what the future of high streets could mean in the context of financial services. We are moving Maida Hill Place off Harrow Road for a month to engage with residents and businesses around money, high streets, and the role of financial services.

About us

We are Dozens. Everything we’ve built has been done with the customer in mind and we want you to continue with us on this journey.

Dozens was born out of a need to align financial business’ interests with customers’ financial wellbeing. The majority of the team at Dozens being non-bankers has enabled us to see things very differently. We built an app with a community of 300 people from across the UK. And we’re now helping over 10,000 customers who all have different financial stories.

We are regulated and authorised by the FCA and have two regulatory licenses – an e-money and a MiFid license. Which means our app – ‘The new home for your money’ – can offer a current account, and smart budgeting and saving tools.

We are now looking to understand how to bring our services out of the digital world and into the real world and to ensure we’re helping as many people as possible take the next step to a better financial future.

See video below if you want to see what our previous co-creation day looked and felt like!

Dozens is a trading name of Project Imagine Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales (No. 11153882). We are not a bank. We are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority as an e-money institution (FRN 900894) and also as an investment firm (FRN 814281). Our registered office is at 1 St Katharine’s Way London E1W 1UN.