Update on the new Banking Hub for Ashby

Amanda Hack provides an update on the new Banking Hub for Ashby

Following the announcement by Natwest last month of its intention to close it’s branch in Ashby, Amanda Hack MP has met with Cash Access UK, who are now in the process of setting up a new banking hub for the town.

Cash is still important to millions of people in the UK. Between 5 and 6 million adults say they rely on cash in their day to day lives. Banking hubs are opening rapidly across the UK, by the end of 2024, there were over 100 hubs, providing cash and basic banking services to local communities.

Banking hubs offer easy access to face-to-face cash and banking services. Each hub has a counter service available to all customers, Monday to Friday, where you can: pay in cash or cheques; withdraw cash; check your balance; pay utility bills; top up your gas and electricity and access to change giving services for small businesses.

Customers can also speak face-to-face with their own bank about more complex banking enquiries such as payments, transfers, managing their accounts, and how to use online banking. Community bankers take turns visiting the hub, so you will find a different bank available each day of the week. Community bankers are usually provided by the banks with the most customers in the community.

Following the meeting, Amanda Hack said:

“Access to high street banks has been shrinking in Ashby over many years now, leaving some people having to travel miles to visit their local branch. Bringing a banking hub into the town will have a huge impact on those who still rely on face-to-face services for support.

I’ll be working closely with Cash Access UK, who provide the banking hubs, over the coming months to ensure we secure these vital services for local people and see the expansion of access to different banks, which I know the hub will provide.

Natwest have also provided me with confirmation that their branch will not close on Market Street until the banking hub is operational, which means there will be no gap in the current provision of services for those who rely on this branch.”

Claire Adrych from Cash Access UK said:

“Our services can play a crucial role in giving local residents renewed access to cash and in-person banking services.

As soon as LINK announces the need for additional cash services, we start work to deliver accessible cash and face-to-face banking services in the community, with the process potentially taking up to 12 months to secure the rightlocation that works for the community.

We’ll be working closely with Amanda, local stakeholders, and the wider community to ensure everyone understands how they can best make use of the hub when it opens in the future.”

ENDS