LINK has today confirmed that local people will be able to continue to access banking services in the community through a new banking hub. Furthermore, Barclays have committed to keeping the branch open until the hub is ready meaning there will be no gap in service for the Leiston community.
Following a request from Therese, LINK, the UK’s Cash Access and ATM network, re-evaluated Leiston and have now confirmed that it will benefit from a new banking hub as part of a wider commitment to protect access to cash. LINK’s Deputy CEO Adrian Roberts recently joined Dr Coffey on a visit to the town, where she was able to provide new information about upcoming changes in the local area to support LINK’s assessment.
In 2021, the banking industry agreed that following the closure of any bank branch, LINK will identify whether a community requires further cash services. Additionally, any community without a branch can contact LINK directly and ask to be assessed for support. 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. The banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.
Therese said: “Leiston clearly needs a banking hub, which is why I worked so hard to secure one. Thank you to the 1,762 people who signed my petition that I presented in Parliament. That had a real impact adding to my robust lobbying at the banking roundtable in the Treasury, with ministers and my direct challenges to banking chief executives. I'm pleased that Barclays will remain open until the hub is delivered. It's also great news that the shared banking hub will allow more residents and businesses to access full banking facilities from a number of banks, as well as Barclays. Thank you to LINK for listening and to the people of Leiston and the wider area for supporting my successful campaign. Big credit to Town Clerk, Helen Greengrass for helping put together the extra information to support our case too."
Adrian Roberts, Deputy CEO of LINK said: “It was great to meet with Dr Coffey in Leiston recently and very helpful to learn about various upcoming developments in the local area. This new information makes it clear that Leiston meets the necessary criteria and I’m confident that the new banking hub will help the community to continue to thrive. I’m looking forward to seeing the new hub open.”
