Permanent banking hub opens in town to improve locals’ access to cash

A permanent banking hub has been opened in Horwich to provide financial services to local people.

The site, on Winter Hey Lane, replaces a temporary hub which had been open since January in Craven House.

Cash Access UK is behind the service aimed at protecting nationwide access to cash in the face of increasing branch closures by the big high street banking chains.

The organisation has been working hard to fit-out the new premises over the past few months in preparation for the opening.

The Hub was recommended by LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, following the announcement of the closure of the town’s last remaining bank branch in January 2023.

The Hub will be officially opened by local Labour MP, Phil Brickell, at 12pm on August 29.

Gareth Oakley, CEO, Cash Access UK, said: “I’m delighted to announce the opening of the permanent home for the Horwich Banking Hub which will guarantee the local community access to cash and face-to-face banking services once again.”

The Hub will continue to offer a counter service operated by the Post Office where customers of all major banks can carry out regular cash transactions, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

It will also offer 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.

Community Bankers will work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week, featuring Monday: Barclays; Tuesday: NatWest; Wednesday: Halifax; Thursday: Santander; Friday: Lloyds.

Cash Access UK is a not-for-profit company established by nine major banks and building societies.

It is owned and funded by Bank of Ireland, Barclays, Danske Bank, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Santander, TSB and Virgin Money.