THE new banking hub which recently opened in Wellington has provided more information on how it will cater for customers of the five leading high street banks.

The Cash Access UK hub, on Fore Street, was opened officially by Mayor Janet Lloyd and Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, on Friday, January 3.

The hub offers a counter service operated by the Post Office where customers of major banks can carry out regular cash transactions from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

It also offers a community banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues on the day their bank is in the hub. In Wellington, the community bankers are available on the following days:

This is the first hub to open in Somerset with three more planned for Frome, Keynsham, and Nailsea.

Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK, said: “I’m happy to announce the opening of our Wellington 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 enquiry for your bank, a community banker will be there to help on the day they’re in the hub.”

Mayor Janet Lloyd said: “We are delighted the permanent banking hub is now open in Wellington. In a town of our size having easily accessible banking facilities is essential for our residents and local businesses.

“As a town council we have been pleased to be able to work with Cash Access UK to provide a temporary home for the hub, thereby ensuring there was no gap in banking provision between the last bank in the town closing and the permanent hub opening.

“We will continue to work with the Post Office to try to secure provision in the town alongside the banking.”

The Cash Access UK banking hub was temporarily housed in the former district council community office at 30 Fore Street, supported by Wellington Town Council, with a renewed lease in at the end of October 2024, before moving into the new permanent facilities at the former Barclays Bank premises.

The Wellington banking hub is now located at 26 Fore Street.

Cash Access UK is a not-for-profit company funded by major high street banks, including AIB NI, Bank of Ireland UK, Barclays, Danske Bank, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Santander, TSB and Virgin Money.

The banking hubs are shared banking spaces operated by the Post Office, offering customers of all major banks the opportunity to carry out regular cash transactions. Although the group also offers support for digital and online solutions, they will continue to support small business and local communities in accessing the limited in-person banking resource.

In December, Cash Access UK opened their 100th banking hub in Darwen, Lancashire.

To find out more about Cash Access UK and the banking hubs, contact: [email protected]