Face-to-face banking returns to Wilmslow with new community hub
A new banking hub has opened on Grove Street in Wilmslow, providing weekday cash transactions for the community.
By Knutsford Guardian
A new banking hub has opened on Grove Street in Wilmslow, restoring face-to-face financial services for local residents. The hub, located at the former NatWest Bank, is operated by Cash Access UK, an organisation dedicated to maintaining access to cash across the UK. This initiative follows the closure of NatWest and Halifax branches last year, with Santander also set to close its branch early next year.
Tatton MP Esther McVey will officially open the new facility on Friday, October 16, at 11am, and the public is invited to attend. The hub will be available to customers of all major banks on weekdays from 9am to 5pm, allowing for regular cash transactions such as withdrawals, deposits, balance checks, and bill payments. Businesses will also have access to these services.
In addition to standard banking services, the hub provides a community banker service, enabling customers to discuss more complex banking issues in a private space on the days their bank is present. Currently, NatWest will be available on Tuesdays, Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland on Wednesdays, with Santander joining on Mondays and HSBC on Thursdays. Barclays is scheduled to be available on Fridays starting October 30.
Gareth Oakley, CEO of Cash Access UK, expressed his satisfaction with the opening of the Wilmslow hub, stating, “I’m happy to announce the opening of our Wilmslow hub, ensuring crucial access to cash and face-to-face banking services for residents and businesses across the community.” He noted the changing landscape of banking and the importance of providing solutions like banking hubs and deposit ATMs to support small businesses.
Wilmslow’s banking hub is one of three currently operating in Cheshire, including another location on King Street in Knutsford.