New temporary banking hub to open in council office

A new banking hub is set to move into council offices following closures of high street banks in a Leicestershire town.

Harborough District Council said its Symington Building, in Market Harborough, will host Cash Access UK on a temporary basis until a permanent home can be found.

A number of major banks have closed their branches in the town over recent years with Lloyds also set to shut next month due to falling customer numbers.

Cash Access UK, which is funded by banking groups including Lloyds, Barclays, HSBC and NatWest to provide shared services, is expected to open at the end of February.

The council said work to fit out the ground floor of the premises, in Adam and Eve Street, would start immediately, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Customers of any bank will be able to withdraw and deposit cash, pay bills and carry out regular banking transactions at the hub, which would be operated by Post Office employees, it said.

There will also be a "community banker" to provide people a face-to-face service for complicated issues.

Banks said branches have closed as many customers choose to bank through their mobile app or online and branch visits had fallen in recent years.

Council leader Phil Knowles said: "Although lots of people do their banking online nowadays, there are many residents in the Harborough district who find this difficult, do not have internet access or prefer to do their banking in person.

"I have campaigned for a banking hub for Market Harborough for a while following the steady closure of high street banks in the town, and I'm delighted that the council has been able to assist with welcoming the new banking hub temporarily in our council offices."

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