DROITWICH is set to receive a banking hub to protect face-to-face financial services in the town as the high street’s last remaining branch is set to close.
LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, has today (Wednesday, March 19) recommended that a banking hub be set up in Droitwich.
Although Santander – the town’s last remaining branch – has been announced for closure, a date has yet to be confirmed.
Banking hubs are a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone. When opened, 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 requiring 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.
To date, LINK has recommended 224 banking hubs, and 19 banking hubs were announced to join the roster of 149 already set up across the UK.
Droitwich is the second hub to be recommended by LINK in Worcestershire alongside Pershore.
The town’s MP Nigel Huddleston welcomed the news in a statement to the Standard.
Mr Huddleston said: “Having spoken to local residents and businesses I am very much aware of the need to maintain accessible banking services in Droitwich Spa, particularly given the recent announcement that Santander will be closing.
“I will be meeting with officials from LINK in the near future to discuss the banking hub in further detail.
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 start to look for potential sites.
Dr Chris Ashton, chief commercial officer, LINK: “While more people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally, we know many people still rely on and choose to use cash and face-to-face banking.
“That’s why we’re delighted to recommend the new hub in Droitwich. When it opens, the hub will be vital for the local community.”
