Step forward for new hub after town's last bank closed

Plans for a new banking hub in a Derbyshire town are moving forward.

Derbyshire Dales District Council said it "wished to secure" a banking hub in Bakewell following the closure of Natwest, the town's last bank, in February.

The council said a meeting of Bakewell Banking Hub stakeholders was held on Friday where they agreed to prepare a business case for the new facility.

John Whitby, Labour MP for the Derbyshire Dales, who attended the meeting, said banking services for Bakewell were a "must-have".

The council said a business case would enable Mr Whitby to progress discussions with the government minister.

Mr Whitby said: "The constituency needs some banking services.

"Banking is a huge issue for Derbyshire Dales, where there are small towns, lots of tourism and independents shops, lots of markets.

"It's absolutely essential to have banking services for residents, for tourists, for businesses."

He added the population in the area was "not getting any younger" and "residents need access to banking services".

Paul Wilson, chief executive of the council, said: “The meeting on Friday was very positive with a wide range of stakeholders contributing their views on the need for a Banking Hub in Bakewell.

"We are delighted that progress is being made.”

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