New Nationwide update for 42 branches after takeover

New Nationwide update for 42 branches after takeover The building society is rolling out an important update Brits are set to see a significant development on the high street following Nationwide's announcement of a substantial expansion of a vital initiative in the wake of its Virgin Money purchase. The building society is introducing dedicated Safe Spaces throughout 42 former Virgin Money branches, bringing the total number of sites providing this service to 475 across the country. This development means Nationwide now offers more Safe Spaces than any other financial institution in Britain, with these facilities available in branches where people experiencing domestic abuse can access confidential support, reach out to specialist charities or simply find refuge away from an abuser. The expansion arrives as England competes in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with campaigners highlighting that domestic abuse incidents can surge dramatically during major football tournaments. Research from Warwick Business School revealed that alcohol-related domestic abuse reports rose by 47% on days when England won a World Cup or European Championship match. Additional figures demonstrate that police recorded 351 football-related domestic abuse incidents during Euro 2024, representing an 82% increase on the 193 reported during Euro 2021. Nationwide stated that this latest rollout forms part of its broader commitment to addressing both physical and financial abuse. The society's expanded branch network follows its takeover of Virgin Money, establishing the UK's largest branch network. Nationwide has committed to maintaining all branches open until at least 2030. The Safe Spaces scheme, run nationally by domestic abuse charity Hestia, offers private areas within branches where visitors can access support services, make phone calls and obtain details about specialist organisations. Of the 475 Safe Spaces now available across Nationwide and Virgin Money branches, 82 are situated in towns where Nationwide operates the last remaining bank or building society branch. Alongside the branch facilities, Nationwide has also rolled out measures aimed at helping victims of financial abuse, including an in-app feature enabling customers to block payment references from people sending threatening or coercive messages via bank transfers. Mandy Beech, Nationwide's director of retail services, said: "We urge anyone experiencing abuse to reach out - our in-branch Safe Spaces are here to support you. "We know that a bank or building society might not be the most obvious or conventional place to turn in a moment of crisis, but through our charity partners and the tools we have built, there are real, practical things we can do to help people get the support they need." Sue Harper, deputy director for domestic abuse and sexual violence prevention at Hestia, warned that existing abusive behaviour frequently escalates during major football tournaments. She said: "While football does not cause abuse, we know that existing abusive behaviour often intensifies on match days. Heightened emotions and increased alcohol consumption can escalate harm, leaving victim-survivors dreading match days and feeling unsafe in their own homes." Throughout the World Cup, Nationwide is supporting Hestia's #SupportIsATeamSport campaign, urging the public to download the Bright Sky app, which offers confidential guidance and information on local support services. The app also enables users to find their closest Safe Space within a Nationwide or Virgin Money branch. The building society revealed that upwards of 600 branches have undergone domestic abuse awareness training, equipping staff to spot warning signs of abuse and point people towards specialist help.