Bank to open pop-up pod in Wigan to replace facilities faced with closure
Wigan is one of three locations to receive pilot TSB Pods to support customers with their banking needs in remote and rural communities.
The pop-ups will be situated in shopping centres, with the Wigan location in the Grant Arcade Shopping Centre.
TSB Bank is opening sites in Wigan and Wood Green, north London, this week, with another pop-up set to open in Luton later in the spring, in partnership with NoteMachine, to provide banking and cash services.
TSB’s Pods are semi-permanent structures and will open seven days a week. They will offer a check-in area to meet and greet customers as well as more dedicated private space for customer meetings.
They use NoteMachine’s BankHive technology which allows customers to connect with TSB and carry out their everyday banking needs. The pod has a multi-functional device which gives the local community access to cash withdrawal services. Deposit facilities for TSB customers will be added in the coming months.
TSB customers will also be able to get support from advisers who can help them carry out banking activities like making payments, accessing products and services or setting up digital banking.
The Wigan and Luton pods are being introduced to replace local branch services that are due to close in May, while Wood Green is a new location for TSB.
Gary Jones, TSB’s customer delivery director, said: “Many of our customers are banking differently and we see both an increase in their use of technology and in customers seeking help to do their banking in more convenient ways. TSB remains committed to offering face-to-face banking services and, with pilots like the TSB Pods under way and an increase in our video banking offer, we continue to innovate in how we can serve our customers in ways that work best for them.”
Charlie Evans, director at NoteMachine, said: “NoteMachine has long been at the forefront of innovative banking solutions and our BankHive technology is no different. This partnership will ensure local communities such as Wood Green can access the services they need and drive the future of banking in an ever-evolving financial landscape.”
The TSB Pods are in addition to the 43 pop-up services that have been gradually introduced since April 2021 to support customers in communities where, following a branch closure it takes significantly longer to get to the nearest branch.
