By George TorrBBC News, Derby
Samantha NobleA new hub has brought banking back to a town in Derbyshire.
Belper was without a bank for more than a year after its branch of Lloyds closed in November 2022.
The new banking hub, located on King Street, offers a counter service operated by the Post Office.
Five banks – Barclays, Natwest, HSBC, Lloyds and Santander – will set up shop at the hub, managed by Cash Access UK, on a different day of the week.
The hub has been set up in response to banks closing branches due to a rise in cashless payments and online services.
Belper Town Council mayor, councillor Jamie Walls, said it was “vital” for the area and would mean people would not have to travel to Derby or Ripley.
SuppliedCash Access UK said more hubs are set to open across Derbyshire this year.
A different bank will be available for customers on each weekday with it open to Barclays customers on a Monday, NatWest on Tuesday, HSBC on Wednesday, Lloyds on Thursday and Santander on Friday.
Belper last remaining banking branch, Lloyds, closed in November 2022.
Figures gathered by cash-machine network LINK, show 1,100 branches have closed across the UK since May 2022.
The service was officially opened on Friday by Mid Derbyshire MP Pauline Latham.
‘Community asset’
Elsewhere in Derbyshire, Clay Cross opened a banking hub in November 2023 and an identical proposal for Shirebrook is set to open later this year.
Mr Walls told the BBC: “There’s still people that don’t bank online and this hub is a good solution… it’s the best of both worlds.
“It’s great for the town… it’s going to be good community asset and it’s fantastic that it’s finally here.”
Cash Access UK is not-for-profit company owned and funded by Bank of Ireland UK, Barclays Bank UK PLC, Danske Bank, HSBC UK Bank plc, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group plc, Santander UK plc, TSB Bank plc and Virgin Money.
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