A landmark office development is to brighten up with Furness Building Society branding, as the major financial institution press on with relocating its Barrow headquarters.

The building society has won planning permission for high-level “halo illuminated” and fascia signage to be placed on the Emlyn Hughes House office complex on Abbey Road.

Barrow Borough Council’s planning committee voted unanimously for the signs to go up as Furness Building Society prepares to move its headquarters from Duke Street.

Council planning manager Jason Hipkiss said the brightness of the illuminated signs would be slightly restricted because of the building’s position at a key junction with Holker Street.

 “It’s a modern, landmark building in a rather sensitive location in a gateway area next to a railway station, and the Duke of Edinburgh opposite is a Grade Two listed building,” said Mr Hipkiss, who added that the signs did not raise any adverse planning issues because they were “modest and sensitive”.

The headquarter move has been described as a huge step forward by the building society’s chief executive Chris Harrison.

"We believe that by investing in a new, modern and open plan facility, our staff can concentrate on providing a first-class service for our customers,” he said, when the move was revealed back in October.

The design and fit out of the office for Furness Building Society, which was founded in 1865, is being undertaken by workplace specialists TSK, with the move set to take place soon.

The Barrow branch will continue to operate from its current location in Duke Street.