STALYBRIDGE is set to become the location of a Banking Hub in a unit that has stood empty for six years.
As branches face closure, Cash Access UK has signalled its intention to open one at the bottom of the Summers Quay development, on Armentieres Square.
As well as two meeting rooms, where customers can hold one-one-one conversations with community bankers, a main counter area will be incorporated in the unit, which has stood empty since 2018.
According to Cash Access UK, the facility will be open from Monday to Friday, from 9am until 5pm.
People can pay in cash and cheques, withdraw cash, check their balance, pay utility bills and top up gas and electricity accounts.
Small businesses can also access change-giving services (for small businesses)
Community bankers will be in place on the day a certain bank is in the hub and advice can be given about more complicated banking enquiries like payments and transfers, managing your account, and how to use online banking.
It is not yet known which banks’ staff will be involved at the hub but nine – Bank of Ireland, Barclays, Danske Bank, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Santander, TSB and Virgin Money – are involved with the national scheme.
The latest step is two planning applications to Tameside Council regarding signage and advertisements.
One would see the installation of Banking Hubs signage including an illuminated heritage brand fascia and an illuminated heritage projecting sign on the Armentieres Square side of the building.
Displayed in the ground floor windows will be a suspended Directory of Services and two marketing posters. An A4 opening hours sign, and A5 CCTV sign will be positioned in the centre of the main entrance door.
The other is for an advertisement and signage on Back Grosvenor Street.
Documents supporting the applications state: “Cash Access UK Limited is a not-for-profit company set up by a number of UK banks and building societies to enable consumers and small businesses to access cash, deposit and basic banking services where they are needed across the UK.
“The company will facilitate the provision of a range of services including shared banking spaces on local high streets.
“The interior of the building is proposed to a Banking Hub. This will include re-organising of the internal layout to meet Cash Access UK standards.”
A Banking Hub has been talked about in Stalybridge for some time as branches pull out of the town.
Jonathan Reynolds told The Correspondent he believes a solution should be found, saying: “One alternative that has been proposed are ‘banking hubs,’ whereby banks would jointly cover the cost of providing shared facilities.
“Clearly to work this would have to offer decent provision and availability. I think we clearly need something like this in Stalybridge.
“I recognise personal banking habits have changed and lots of people don’t use branches any more, but I still feel the Government have allowed a situation to occur where there will soon be no bank branches outside of major city centres and little thought has been given to what that means.”
