LINK, the UK’s Cash Access and ATM network, said today (Thursday, April 11) that it is to locate a banking hub in the town following a request from a member of the local community.
The hub will likely open in 12 months’ time. It follows the closure of the town’s ‘big four’ high street bank branches, including Barclays in 2018 and Lloyds in 2019.
Nick Quin, head of financial inclusion LINK, said: “We’re pleased to recommend the new hub in Westbury.
“While many people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally, there are millions of people across the UK who prefer cash and face-to-face banking.
“If a community believes that it needs additional cash services, they can contact LINK directly and we can assess whether we can recommend new services such as cash machines or banking hubs.”
Dr Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire, said: “I’m delighted Westbury will get a banking hub.
“It’s essential that people have access to traditional counter services, particularly as not everyone is comfortable with banking online and cashless transactions.”
Banking hubs are shared banking spaces, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone. There are already banking hubs in Calne and Royal Wootton Bassett.
When opened, the Westbury 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.
The banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.
Banking hubs can be recommended by LINK through a community request or following the announcement of the closure of the bank branch in a location.
Successful recommendations are determined by several factors including the number of shops in the area, demographics, and proximity to other banking services.
The banking hub will now be delivered by Cash Access UK. Over the next few weeks, it will begin to engage with the local community and will start to look for potential sites.
