Banking hub to open before last bank leaves town

The medieval building was previously a branch of Natwest Bank

A town which is due to lose its last high street bank is to get a new banking hub this summer.

Lloyds Bank is the last company to have a branch in Sherborne, Dorset, and has already announced plans to close.

The hub, run by not-for-profit company Cash Access UK, is opening in the former Natwest branch at 50 Cheap Street.

West Dorset MP Edward Morello said the Lloyds branch would remain open until the hub was ready for business.

Mr Morello said the facility was "provisionally set to open in June".

Planning permission was granted at the end of March for internal works, signage and a cash machine at the Grade II listed medieval building.

Mr Morello previously said having a banking hub "won't be the same" but it was "probably the second best option" to having a bank in the town.

Cash Access UK is funded by major high street banks to provide cash and basic banking services in communities across the UK.

The group set up 32 hubs in March alone - 24 in temporary locations, three permanent, and five which were moved from temporary to permanent premises.