THE former Barclays Bank, Wellington, which closed in 2018, is set to reopen – as a banking hub.

Cash Access UK has been looking for premises in which to set up a hub in time for when the town loses its last remaining high street bank Lloyds.

Now, it is negotiating a lease on the Barclays property in Fore Street in order to start converting the property, which is opposite Lloyds Bank.

Lloyds, which originally planned to close in September, has said it will stay open until March 25 next year at the latest to allow time for a hub to be established.

The banking hub will be run by Post Office staff, although it will not actually be a Post Office.

They will use a shared space with a counter and will be open from 9 am to 5 pm on Mondays to Fridays for customers of any bank to make transactions.

Staff from Lloyds and other banks will be able to attend on different days of the week to provide specialist services.

The news was welcomed by former Wellington Mayor, Cllr Mark Lithgow, who used to work for Lloyds, who said: “I am delighted to hear it.

“Banking services have been in the national news with a high profile case recently which has highlighted how important they are for people’s daily lives.

“There are many people who are not comfortable with using online banking services so it is good that once the hub is open they will be able go in and talk to a person face to face to get the help they need.

“A town the size of Wellington and with all the thriving businesses we have here certainly needs to keep a high street banking presence available.

“It is an ideal location right in the centre of town and will be accessible for just about anybody.

“I hope Cash UK will be able to move quickly to get the hub open as soon as possible.”