Home by Halifax provides free events and interactive experiences which are available in the morning, at lunch and after the most popular working hours.
Described as a ‘home buying store’, its aim is to provide a space dedicated to helping people buy a home – whether they are just starting to think about saving to buy their first place or already on the ladder and need home insurance or other essentials.
Halifax, which is behind the one stop shop, said it is thought this was the first store of its kind in the UK.
Visitors to the space, which is based at 100 Cannon Street, will be greeted by a 55 inch interactive screen which displays videos which break down the process of buying a home into helpful stages.
There will also be free events which are open to everyone – not just Halifax customers – which include seminars and talks.
Health and wellbeing
There will even be yoga classes, also offered free of charge, to encourage mental and physical health to combat stress.
Indeed, there have a been a number of studies which have found buying a home has caused stress and anxiety for many people. The most recent, by Atom bank, revealed two thirds of new buyers experienced anxiety when making their first purchase.
Halifax said its free events recognised buying a home can be stressful and as such it was offering something different, focused on health and wellbeing.
Staff will be on hand to answer questions about Halifax mortgage products and visitors can speak via video link to further expert staff members who can help if an adviser is not available.
There’s also a coffee shop, run by members of the local homeless community, who have been trained as baristas through the social enterprise, Change Please.
Russell Galley, managing director of Halifax, said: “We’ve built a different kind of space unlike any other dedicated to home buying, as we know the challenges people can face when attempting to set foot or move up the housing ladder.
“Home by Halifax is designed to make the process simple, with extended opening hours and specially trained staff on hand to help people make the most of their visit at a time that’s convenient.”
Home by Halifax will be open five days a week from 7.30am to 7pm on Monday to Thursday, closing at 4pm on a Friday.
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