Face-to-face banking hub to open in town

Financial services provider Link is now looking for a location to open the hub

A banking hub designed to help people who need or prefer to manage their accounts in person is to be opened in Morecambe.

Halifax is due to close its branch in the Lancashire town, leaving Nationwide as Morecambe's only bank with a physical presence.

Financial services provider Link said it was looking for a location to open a banking hub that would provide a counter service along with consultation rooms.

Several major banks would provide members of staff to work at the hub - which Link expects to open in 12 months' time - on a rotating basis.

Customers of all major banks and building societies typically use hubs to carry out everyday transactions.

They can also discuss more complicated financial issues with a representative from their bank.

The number of high street bank branches has fallen in recent years as more customers use online and telephone services.

Banking hubs are designed to address concerns about this, and there are now 81 of them across the UK.

Lancashire's first banking hub opened in Barnoldswick in March, and others are planned for Great Harwood and Darwen.