Banking hub opens as council seeks permanent site

A banking hub has opened in Dorking as part of a scheme to protect face-to-face financial services.

Customers from all major banks will be able to withdraw and deposit cash from the hub, currently based in Mole Valley District Council's Pippbrook Building in Reigate Road, as well as organise face-to-face meetings with some banks on certain days of the week.

The hub, the second of its kind to open in Surrey, is part of an initiative to keep in-person banking services despite the continued closure of high street banking branches.

A more permanent location for the banking hub is currently being sought, the council added.

The banking hub, which will be open from 09:00 to 17:00 GMT on weekdays, will also allow customers to check their balances and pay bills.

Customers for HSBC, Barclays, Santander and NatWest can also access further services on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Services for Lloyds will also soon be available on Fridays.

Surrey now has two banking hubs, in Dorking and Haslemere, with a third site planned in Caterham.

Paula Keay, Mole Valley cabinet member for sustainable economy, said: "We know availability of face-to-face banking and cash cannot be underestimated to our local businesses and residents, and the closure of bank branches created a significant gap in local services.

"The banking hub will deliver a valued counter service for customers' financial transactions, which will be handled by knowledgeable individuals from various banks, ensuring that anyone who uses cash or are unable to use online banking have access to high quality banking services."

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