Calne Town Councillor Michael Hudston, has confirmed that the Banking Hub he has been pivotal in negotiating for the town, will be sited in the former laundrette on The Strand.
LINK, the UK’s Cash Access and ATM network, announced back in December that Calne woud be the latest site of a new banking hub.
Following a community request from Town Councillor Michael Hudston, LINK confirmed Calne would benefit from a new banking hub as part of a wider commitment to protect access to cash.
Banking hubs are a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone. The hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions.
In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy. The banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.
In 2021, the banking industry agreed that following the closure of any bank branch, LINK will identify whether a community requires further cash services. Additionally, any community without a branch can contact LINK directly and ask to be assessed for support. To date, LINK have recommended 125 banking hubs across the UK, with 50 already up and running.
Chris Ashton, Head of Banking Services, LINK: “Access to cash and face-to-face banking services continues to be important for millions of people across the UK. Not everyone is able to go digital yet, so we’re pleased to announce new cash services to support Calne. If any community believes it needs additional services such as a cash machine or banking hub, they can contact LINK directly and we can see if we can help.”
Cllr Hudston has shared the news of the location for the new hub today, he said: "I have known about proposed location of the banking hub for some time, but was not allowed to reveal it, as to not prejudice any negotiations.
"I can confirm that Calne’s Banking Hub, will be located in the site of the former laundrette. I would have preferred a more central location and to have seen the laundrette re-opened, however banking hub requirements are quite specific, and the laundrette was really the only viable site for it. With Wiltshire Council, planning applications are never quick, so I still await to hear when the Banking Hub will open."
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