Unify Credit Union reopens along Leigh's high street after flooding

A growing alternative to a high street bank, Unify Credit Union is a not-for-profit network that offers affordable loans, insurance, and saving advice to support the local community.

With a 10,000 strong member base, who get a share of profits at the end of each year, Unify has grown to operate four branches in the north west, including Leigh, Wigan, and Skelmersdale.

However, after a devastating thunderstorm back in June 2023, its Bradshawgate branch was forced into closure due to flooding and water damage.

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The credit union is located next to Jo Platt's constituency office on Bradshawgate (Image: Paul Blinkhorn) With the Leigh team doing the best it could to continue supporting Leythers, it had been running the credit union from a pop up location in Leigh Library alongside other wellbeing services.

As members continued to ask if and when the Bradshawgate branch was reopening, the team held a celebratory launch earlier this month to mark its relaunch and welcome customers back into the high street branch.

Unify's grand reopening was marked along with local councillors, Leigh and Atherton MP Jo Platt, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Local leaders cutting the Unify ribbon (Image: Paul Blinkhorn) Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton, said: "It’s great to be able to welcome Unify Credit Union back to Leigh town centre. To have them once again on the high street, serving residents, is much needed in the current climate.

"As a community minded bank they have already been nationally recognised for their efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of using loan sharks, and have also contributed to the economic and cultural regeneration of Leigh via the Enterprising Communities Fund.

"The towns of Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Lowton, Golborne and Astley are in need of investment, and to have Unify Credit Union be a part of that, can only benefit our residents and local businesses.”

Owen Roberts, CEO of Unify, added: "As if reopening wasn’t exciting enough the wonderful, long time Unify supporter Jo Platt will be there for the ribbon cutting.

"I got to chat with Jo about how we can work together and embed Unify into the community. I was left feeling very excited at what is to come."