New cash hub opens in bankless town

A cash hub has opened in an East Yorkshire town following a long-running campaign.

The hub, operated by Cash Access UK, a not-for-profit company funded by major high street banks, is located above the library in Hedon, with lift access.

It offers a counter service operated by the Post Office and is open on weekdays between 09:00 and 17:00 GMT for transactions, including cash withdrawals and deposits.

Lloyds Bank announced last year that its branch in St Augustine's Gate would close, leaving the town with no bank, prompting an appeal to secure physical banking facilities for the town.

Graham Stuart, the Conservative MP for Beverley and Holderness, was one of those who had originally campaigned for a banking hub, but this was turned down by Link, which assesses which communities would benefit from one.

Cash hubs provide essential banking services such as access to cash and deposit facilities, but not the face-to-face appointments with representatives from individual banks which are offered by banking hubs.

Speaking in December, the MP said he was "so grateful" to those who had worked together in order to secure an alternative cash facility in the town.

Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said the cash hub would ensure "our communities remain connected to essential financial services".

"The cash hub above Hedon Library will be a valuable resource for residents and local businesses alike," she added.

Gareth Oakley, chief executive of Cash Access UK, added: "We know how important access to cash continues to be and the cash hub is an ideal solution for locations like Hedon."

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