LOCAL MP, Michelle Donelan, has put in a bid for a banking hub in Melksham.
Banking hubs operate in a similar way to bank branches, but with a counter service run by Post Office staff. Customers can withdraw and deposit cash, make payments and carry out other transactions and meet with banking staff from their own bank, who are available on different days of the week.
The hubs are being rolled out across the UK in response to concerns about a lack of access to banking services and Michelle Donelan has submitted a bid for a hub in Melksham.
“Earlier this year Lloyds closed their Melksham branch, leaving Melksham without a high street bank,” she said. “To help preserve access to cash and banking services for the community, I have been campaigning for Melksham to be a contender for a Bank Hub, so it was pleasure to meet with Chris Ashton, head of banking services at LINK, to make the case for our town.”
LINK, the UK’s ATM network, are involved in the scheme.
“I have submitted a bid and will be working closely with LINK over the coming months to push this and ensure that Melksham has the best chance of securing a Bank Hub,” added the MP.
“In addition to the usual everyday banking services, you can: • Speak face to face with a member of staff from your bank • Withdraw or deposit cash for either personal or business banking • Open new accounts • Get help and advice from banking professionals • Deposit cheques
“If successful, it would mean securing access to cash and banking services in Melksham long into the future.”
The first banking hubs were piloted last year in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, and Rochford in Essex. 13 additional new hubs were announced on Tuesday last week, including one in Royal Wootton Bassett, bringing the total number planned in the UK to 25.
