I AM writing in response to the recent letter page regarding the Banking Hub which will be coming to Welshpool this year.
The Hub, which has been triggered by UK Government legislation protecting community access to cash services, will be the first of its kind to open in Wales. It is fantastic news for Welshpool and the surrounding areas, as it will be the first time all the major banks will have a presence within the town.
Over recent months I have been in constant discussions with both LINK and Cash Access UK, who are responsible for delivering the facility.
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Their long-term commitment to providing shared banking facilities for five days a week remains absolutely rock solid. Unfortunately, their plans had been delayed by several conveyancing issues on previously identified town centre locations, all of which have been beyond their control. I am assured these are now solved.
I can confirm therefore that the Hub will now be located at the former Lloyds Bank building on Broad Street – subject to on lease signing – with a soft launch planned for July.
I continue to work closely with the project managers and local authorities to ensure any remaining administrative hurdles are cleared as quickly as possible.
I too am also disappointed that we haven’t been able to open the Banking Hub at a faster pace, and I absolutely know how needed this facility is for the town following the closure of both Barclays and Lloyds.
But I also want to be positive about Welshpool’s high street and the investment which is being delivered to the town.
The Hub will provide a huge boost to local businesses in having easy access to banking services.
Additionally, we are looking at the wider point of communities retaining their access to cash services in Montgomeryshire, and the UK Government are now legislating to ensure that the ability to make free withdrawals and deposits of cash on our high streets is legally protected.
This will be of great benefit to those of us who frequently use cash as our first choice of payment.
Craig Williams MP
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