The closure of West Kirby’s last remaining bank has been delayed, while plans are finalised for the opening of a new banking hub.
Natwest on Banks Road was due to close in early July, but will now remain open until 29 August.
LINK, which provides the UK’s cash machine network, has told West Kirby Today that a site has been found for the new hub, but that it will have a temporary home before opening at a permanent location.
Banking hubs are a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone.
The hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions.
In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy.
A spokesperson for LINK told us: “Cash Access UK are working hard to bring a Banking Hub to West Kirby and have found a suitable location.
“The Hub is due to open later in the year, but in the meantime a temporary hub will soon be opening to provide the community with access to cash while plans for the permanent hub continues to progress. This will provide all the same services of the permanent hub, just in a temporary home.”
The banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.
The banking hub will now be delivered by a new bank-owned infrastructure company called Cash Access UK.
West Kirby is one of 100 communities nationwide to receive the new shared banking service.
