The MP for Crowborough wants to hear from local residents about banking services in the area and whether she should lobby providers for a local banking hub.
Nusrat Ghani, Sussex Weald MP, said she has been receiving letters and emails about bank branch closures and residents are obviously concerned about access to in-person advice and services.
Just last month the Crowborough Branch of Santander closed in the High Street. Although the bank has set up a drop in service on Fridays at the community centre it is only for advice and support, there are no financial services.
Many Post Office branches have stepped up to provide a greater range of banking services, enabling 99% of banks’ personal customers, and 95% of banks’ business customers to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at their counters across a network of more than 11,500 branches.
Nusrat has recently welcomed the newly established banking hub in Hailsham, which has been operating since March and was the first of its kind to open in East Sussex. It is a key community facility for local residents and she is keen to ensure that communities across the constituency can benefit from similar provision.
A banking hub is similar to a traditional bank branch where a private space is also available for customers to speak to their bank representatives about more complicated financial matters. The space is often shared by multiple providers, providing service on a specific day of the week.
She has invited all local residents to complete a short survey on her website to help inform her about local preferences, ahead of making representations to Link and Cash Access UK who recommend and deliver banking hubs. To share your views, go to: https://www.nusghani.org.uk/bankinghub
Nusrat said: “Access to banking services is essential for everyone across the country, and especially in rural areas such as Sussex Weald. In light of many banks deciding to close their local branches, it is important that those who are unable to access online banking retain the opportunity to access face-to-face assistance.
“I am pleased that Hailsham was the first location in East Sussex to have secured a banking hub, which is a much welcome and well used facility. However, I appreciate that not all residents can travel to Hailsham and I am keen to ensure that other towns and villages have the opportunity to benefit from a similar service within their community.”
The original article is available here.
