As the UK’s first high street bank to receive a licence in more than 100 years, Metro Bank has cemented itself as a powerful new challenger to the dominance of Britain’s five big banks. Following its launch in July 2010, Metro Bank has opened 36 stores across London and the South East. Deloitte Real Estate is supporting the bank in its mission to grow to 150 stores.

Metro Bank is a retail, business and private bank committed to supporting the local communities that border its stores. It works closely with local businesses and provides lending services to help them realise their growth ambitions. Since its launch, Metro Bank has created more than 1,800 new jobs for people living in and around London and the South East – a trend that is set to continue as Metro Bank works with Deloitte to further its expansion plans.

Deloitte has helped to achieve a significant number of planning consents for new Metro Bank stores by liaising with authorities and stakeholders, and by preparing applications for stores across prominent town centre sites in the region. One of the important influences we have had in the UK real estate sector is assisting with the case to change UK planning laws. This in turn has allowed Metro Bank to take on underused high street retail units without the need to go through lengthy and costly planning consent processes. With Metro Bank being one of the few banks committed to opening new stores this has had a significant impact on the UK high street and the services Metro Bank is able to offer customers.