County Durham Banking Hub to host different banks each day bringing facilities back to the community
A new Banking Hub is to open in the region, hosting different banks each day to bring facilities back to the community.
Banking Hubs share a banking space on the high street and offer a counter service operated by the Post Office. Customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions at the site between Monday and Friday 9am-5pm.
And there is a also offer Community Banker service, allowing customers to talk to their own bank about more complicated banking issues. Every week day a representative from one of the UK’s major banks or building societies will be available to meet at the site.
The Community Bankers work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week. Community Bankers are usually provided by the banks or building society with the most customers in the local area.
Banking Hubs were set up by Cash Access UK, an organisation which aims to protect nationwide access to cash. And today it confirmed that it will open a new branch at the Byron Place Shopping Centre, in Seaham. The Hub will open in part of the unit currently used by The Works.
Community Bankers will be available at the as follows when the site opens later this year:
- Monday: NatWest
- Tuesday: Lloyds
- Wednesday: Halifax
- Thursday: Santander
- Friday: Barclays
The team at Cash Access UK are currently working to fit out the new premises and will update the community on progress and an opening date as soon as they can. The Seaham Banking Hub page on the Cash Access UK website will provide updates as works progress.
The Hub was recommended by LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, following confirmation of the closure of the town’s last bank branch. There are currently 54 Banking Hubs up and running across the country, including one in Newton Aycliffe. Hubs have also been recommended in County Durham in Crook and Ferryhill.
Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK said: “It’s great news that we have secured a location for our Banking Hub in Seaham. Our job is to start the building works and to open the hub in the coming months.”
Mayor of Seaham, June Watson, said: “Following recent bank closures it appeared that Seaham would be left bereft of any banking facilities, which has caused stress and worry for many people. The Banking Hub is a huge relief to us all and a most welcome addition to our Town. I personally am so grateful as it will be an immense relief to our residents and particularly the elderly.”
