New hub opens after closure of town's last bank

A banking hub has opened in Wick following the closure of the town's last bank.

Not-for-profit organisation Cash Access UK is running the services from premises in Bridge Street.

Wick's Bank of Scotland branch shut last month. Since 2018, the town lost its Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), Clydesdale Bank, TSB and Virgin Money.

Cash Access UK is funded by major UK banks and has a network of hubs across the country.

Wick's hub has opened in the town's former RBS building, and is the most northerly of Cash Access UK's hubs.

It has a counter service run by the Post Office.

Staff from three banks will make visits to meet customers, with TSB on Tuesdays, RBS on Wednesdays and Bank of Scotland on Thursdays.

The premises also has a cash machine.

Cash Access UK chief executive Gareth Oakley said: "I'm happy to announce the opening of our Wick hub, ensuring crucial access to cash and face-to-face banking services for residents and businesses across the community.

"Customers can visit on any day of the week for their everyday banking transactions, and if you have a specific or more complex inquiry for your bank, a community banker will be there to help on the day they're in the hub."

Caithness and Sutherland MP Jamie Stone welcomed the opening of the new hub, and said many customers still wanted face-to-face contact with bank staff.

In Scotland, Cash Access UK also has sites in Turriff in Aberdeenshire, Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway and Troon in South Ayrshire.