To further progress her campaign to secure a banking hub for Crowborough, Nusrat Ghani, MP for Sussex Weald, convened a meeting with LINK, the company that makes assessments and recommendations for new banking hubs to challenge them on their current assessments.
It was recently announced that the last remaining bank on Crowborough High Street, Lloyds, will be closing its doors in early June, leaving customers without the option of an in-person banking advice and services.
Nusrat has been working with the Crowborough Mayor Cllr Natalie Whittle and Crowborough Chamber of Commerce and is spearheading a campaign for a banking hub, which would provide cash-based services as well as host various major banks on rotation for more complex banking enquiries.
Having already met with Cash Access UK, who set up and operate banking hubs once they have been approved, Nusrat convened a meeting with LINK, who make assessments and recommendations for new banking hubs. According to LINK’s current assessments, Crowborough does not meet their criteria for a banking hub and is not being recommended for a facility at present.
During the meeting, Nusrat challenged their assessment and pressed LINK further on the criteria and evidence needed for a successful bid to set up such a facility in Crowborough. Nusrat is now working on gathering more data to appeal this assessment, and she needs your help.
If you are a Crowborough resident or business that is impacted by the lack of options for an in-person banking service, please do share your views via Nusrat’s website www.nusghani.org.uk/bankinghubs, so that a strongest possible case can be put forward to LINK to challenge and appeal their assessment.
Nusrat Ghani said: “I know that retaining access to face-to-face assistance with financial matters is still important to many local residents. 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 have gathered more information on how we can follow the successful Hailsham example in Crowborough and I will continue working with the Crowborough Mayor Cllr Natalie Whittle and Crowborough Chamber of Commerce on putting together a strong case to appeal LINK’s current assessment. I am grateful to everyone who has already submitted evidence via my website and I would like to encourage all Crowborough residents to help me present the need for a banking hub to LINK and share their views with me via my website: www.nusghani.org.uk/bankinghubs.”
