New hub hopes to revive local banking

The new hub offers basic banking services and access to cash

A banking hub has opened in a York suburb following the closure of the area's last high street branch.

The new facility has been set up permanent in the former Halifax building on the corner of York Road and Front Street in Acomb, following a trial earlier this year.

Run by the Post Office, banking hubs offer access to basic banking services from a number of high street banks, which rotate during the week.

Manager Simon Taylor said access to the various banks was important to make sure that local communities can still access "traditional banking".

"We do get customers coming in regularly saying they don't do online banking." he said.

"People want to talk to someone over the counter, they don't want to use a machine, they want to see a friendly face."

There are now 188 banking hubs across the UK, according to Cash Access UK, which are funded by major high street banks.

In North Yorkshire, there are already established banking hubs in Knaresborough, Richmond and Filey.

Hub manager Simon Taylor said people like to see a friendly face

Branches can be proposed for communities following the last closure of a high street bank in that area.

An independent regulator, LINK, then assesses the cash needs of the community to decide whether a hub should be put in place.

Mr Taylor, who has run the Post Office on York Road for the last four years, said his understanding of the high street was helpful for supporting the community in his new role.

"You can see the need for cash, people come into the Post Office for cash every day," he said.

Acomb ward councillor Jason Rose said access to cash was helpful to the local economy.

"A lot of people prefer to use cash for a variety of reasons." he said.

"We've now got two markets every month in Acomb, lots of charity shops, we've also got a street full of independent businesses.

"So people taking cash out to go to local traders is really important."

Diane, from Acomb, said she was pleased to have the new hub but said access was difficult due to a lack of parking.

"It's the first time I've been to use it today because you can't really park anywhere," she said.

"But it's a good thing for the little village of Acomb."

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