The impact of local bank closures and local sentiment
Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, is inviting local residents to share their views on access to banking services across the constituency. In Heathfield alone, we have seen the evaporation of banking services with all of the major banks leaving the town over the past ten years. This has created issues for local businesses and residents and was recently echoed by a statement from the Heathfield Chamber of Commerce.
In light of ongoing decisions of banks to close many of their local branches, Nusrat has been receiving correspondence from local residents concerned about opportunities for in-person consultations and access to financial services including cash deposits and cash withdrawals.
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.
However, in addition to these counter services, 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.
Banking Hub set up in Hailsham
Nusrat has recently welcomed the newly established banking hub in Hailsham, which has been operating from the 10 High Street Post Office since March and was the first of its kind to open in East Sussex. It is a key community facility for local residents and Nusrat is keen to ensure that communities across the constituency can benefit from similar provision.
If you would like to something similar to the Hailsham Banking Hub then let her know – follow the link below.
Nusrat is therefore inviting 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/bankinghubs.
The original article is available here.
