Cash Access UK has reached a significant milestone with 150 banking hubs now open across the nation, following the latest opening in Kirkham this week.
Banking hubs are being rolled out nationwide to offset the increasing number of bank branch closures sweeping Britain’s high streets.
The organisation, established to protect access to cash throughout the UK, has rapidly expanded its network in recent months.
In a notable development, Cash Access UK has opened its first banking hub inside a convenience store at Co-op’s Station Road location in Treorchy.
Cash Access has rolled out 150 banking hubs
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While many existing hubs operate from former bank branches, pharmacies, community centres and even a Grade 2 Listed former mill, this new format represents an evolution in service delivery.
These banking hubs provide essential services to customers of all major banks, who can visit any weekday between 9am-5pm.
Visitors can perform regular cash transactions including withdrawals and deposits, check balances and pay bills.
The hubs also offer a community banker service where customers can discuss more complex issues with their own bank in a private space.
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Beyond banking hubs, Cash Access UK provides deposit services that allow small businesses to manage cash transactions.
These include deposit ATMs for banking notes, enhanced Post Offices with separate counters for banking customers, and cash hubs offering assisted cash and basic banking services.
To date, 123 deposit services have been delivered throughout the UK. The establishment of these services follows bank branch closures across the country.
LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, conducts independent assessments to determine if closures will affect local access to cash. So far, LINK has recommended 224 banking hubs and 149 deposit services nationwide.
Gareth Oakley, CEO of Cash Access UK, said: “In a short space of time, we’re very proud of the difference banking hubs are making. It’s been a particularly busy year, and our team has worked hard to open 50 hubs in just four months. The 150th hub marks our latest milestone.”
Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, commented: “Reaching this milestone of opening 150 banking hubs is a huge step towards reaching our target of opening 350 hubs by the end of this Parliament.”
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