Otley banking hub will be based on Kirkgate, Cash Access UK confirms

The new banking hub will enable customers to speak to staff face to face

The location of a banking hub in a West Yorkshire market town has been confirmed by Cash Access UK.

The facility, on Kirkgate in Otley, will offer a counter service for six major banks and enable customers to speak to staff in person if needed.

Cash Access UK, a not-for-profit firm funded by the major banks, chose Otley for a hub after the town's final bank announced plans to close its branch.

The company has not set an opening date for the Kirkgate site.

It said it was "working hard to fit out the new premises" and would announce an opening date as soon as possible.

Joe Woollin, digital inclusion development worker for Otley Action for Older People said the hub recognised the "enduring need for face-to-face banking".

"Although digital and online banking services are widely adopted, we must not neglect those who rely on non-digital means of managing their finances.

"Without the banking hub, many older and vulnerable people would be robbed of this independence," he said.

The hub will be based on Kirkgate

The decision to base a hub in Otley was made on the advice of LINK, which runs the majority of the UK's cash machines.

The banks sharing the counter will inlude Barclays, Halifax, HSBC, Santander, NatWest and Virgin Money and it will open between 09:00 and 17:00.

In addition to the counter service, customers will be able to speak to a community banker from their own provider.

Alex Sobel, Labour MP for Leeds North West, said the hub was "good news" for the town and a "positive step towards ensuring accessible financial services for residents".