A town could soon be left without a single bank branch.
Lloyds, the last remaining bank in Crowborough, is set to close its doors in early June, following the previous closures of Barclays and Santander.
The closure will leave customers without access to in-person banking services on the high street.
Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, said: "We are a unique, rural constituency and I know from correspondence and conversations with local residents that retaining access to face-to-face assistance with financial matters is still important to many of them.
"I am keen to continue working with the local community to ensure that we secure an alternative, walk-in facility for in-person banking services.
"I am pleased to have secured a meeting with Cash Access UK to gather more information on how we can follow the successful Hailsham example in Crowborough and I look forward to my upcoming meeting with LINK to put the case forward to them.
"Please help me evidence that we desperately need a Banking Hub in Crowborough and share your views with me via my website: nusghani.org.uk/bankinghubs."
Ms Ghani has taken action by securing an urgent meeting with Cash Access UK, the organisation responsible for setting up and operating banking hubs.
Banking hubs provide basic services including cash withdrawals, deposits, cheque cashing and in-person support from a rotating selection of major banks for more complex needs.
She has also made representations to LINK, which carries out the initial assessments and recommends new hub locations.
A meeting with LINK is scheduled later this week to review Crowborough’s case and explore additional evidence to support the need for a banking hub.
Ms Ghani has invited feedback from affected residents and businesses through her website to strengthen the case ahead of the meeting.
She highlighted the success of the Hailsham banking hub in discussions with Cash Access UK as an example for Crowborough.
LINK’s last assessment concluded there is no need for such a facility in Crowborough.
Residents and businesses in Crowborough who rely on in-person banking are encouraged to share their experiences on Ms Ghani’s website to support the campaign.
The original article is available here.
