Concerns have been raised by both staff and students of DCU over the presence of the new Bank of Ireland branch in the Street area of the Henry Grattan building.
This is Bank of Ireland’s first year on campus as they now hold the contract held by AIB until last year.
Since opening the branch in September, Bank of Ireland has placed a number of benches and couches in the Street, as well as a large banner advert across the front of the Henry Grattan building.
A number of students and staff have spoken out against the presence of Bank of Ireland. Speaking with The College View, a senior lecturer in the School of Communications said: “It’s a farce and is dominating the building. It looks like a huge bank.”
Hazel Nestor of Bank of Ireland DCU told The College View that it wasn’t the bank’s idea to place the banner at the front of the building, and said that DCU’s Estates Office invited the bank to put the banner there in order to raise awareness of their presence on campus.
Nestor defended the bank, stating that it wants to give back to students and staff, and wants the branch to be as open as possible to both students and staff alike.
“Bank of Ireland is the only bank on campus, DCU is exclusive to the bank. It was never our intention to take over the Henry Grattan building”, Nestor said. “When we want to do anything in relation to physical advertising we meet with the Estates Office and seek permission.
“We are aware of the concerns raised by staff over our presence but feedback received by the bank is incorporated into our plans in the future. The bank is the first of its kind in Ireland and we’re tailored to meet students’ needs.”
Branch Manager, Bernadette Linanne, intends to go out on campus in order to find out what students are looking for from the bank.
Finnian Curran
Image Credit: Annemarie Kelly
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