Nationwide Building Society has left scaffolding in place outside its Beccles branch after a pigeon named 'Pidge' made a nest in the framework. The maintenance work has been completed, but staff decided to keep the structure up until the bird has moved on.
A poster outside the branch explains the situation, stating: "We're staying put. And so is our pigeon. We're open as usual. The scaffolding's staying a little longer as a pigeon has made itself at home." The branch remains open to customers.
Nationwide cited legal protections under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which prohibits damaging or destroying the nest of any wild bird while it is in use. A spokesperson said: "'Pidge', as we've come to call her, snuck in during maintenance a few weeks ago and has been nesting ever since. That left us with one option - let her stay and reopen to customers."
The society added that while Pidge raises her chicks, they are helping customers "build their own nest eggs". The spokesperson noted they will be sad when she leaves, saying: "She's part of the team now, toilet training aside."
