A new cash hub has been opened in Hedon, above the town’s library.
The hub is operated by Cash Access UK, the organisation set up to protect nationwide access to cash.
The hub, which has lift access, offers a counter service operated by the Post Office. Customers of all major banks can visit any weekday between 9am-5pm to carry out regular cash transactions including cash withdrawals and deposits, as well as checking balances or paying bills.
Councillor Anne Handley, East Riding Council leader, said: “Ensuring our communities remain connected to essential financial services is very important to the council. The cash hub above Hedon Library will be a valuable resource for residents and local businesses alike, and we are pleased to have worked closely with Cash Access UK to make it possible.”
Gareth Oakley, Cash Access UK CEO, said: “I’m happy to announce that we will be opening a new cash hub in Hedon. We know how important access to cash continues to be and the cash hub is an ideal solution for locations like Hedon.
“Massive thanks to East Riding Council for their support in hosting the new service in the library. Our team are working hard to prepare the hub and look forward to serving the community soon.”
This follows the announcement last year that Hedon’s only remaining bank, Lloyds, would be closing at the end of January. After pressure from local MP Graham Stuart and residents, this date was pushed back while efforts continued to find a solution to preserving banking services in the town.
LINK carried out an assessment to determine whether Hedon would be eligible for a full banking hub, like those in Withernsea and Hornsea.
Its initial findings concluded that Hedon did not meet the criteria, as it has fewer than 70 shops, although it did meet the requirement of having an adult population of 10,000. Instead, it was recommended that the town’s post office be improved to make it more accessible and better able to meet higher customer demand.
That decision was met with backlash from the Hedon community, with residents arguing that alternative provision in Hull was too far away. Concerns were also raised that increased footfall at the post office would place additional pressure on its services.
Mr Stuart wrote to LINK, prompting a reassessment, and in December, it was announced that Hedon would receive a cash hub rather than a full banking hub.
More information about cash and banking hubs can be found at cashaccess.co.uk.