High street banking provision back in town for first time since 2018

High street banking has returned to Hornsea with the opening of the town’s new Banking Hub.

The Hornsea Banking Hub has moved into the former Poundland site on Newbegin.

Councillor Barbara Jefferson, East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for coastal communities, said: “I’m so happy this Banking Hub has finally opened for the people of Hornsea.

“With bank branches closing across the country, we must make sure people still have access to cash and banking services in their communities.

“Not everyone can or wishes to do their banking on the internet, so it is great to have proper in-person bank services back in the town.”

The Hornsea Banking Hub offers a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions.

It also has a Community Banker service, where customers can talk to their own banking provider about more complicated issues. Community Bankers work on rotation, with a different bank or building society available on each day of the week:

• Monday: Barclays
• Tuesday: Lloyds
• Wednesday: HSBC
• Thursday: NatWest
• Friday (pm): Santander

Cllr Laura Embleton, Mayor of Hornsea, said: “I know lots of residents who were very disappointed when the banks pulled out of the town.

“People are already saying how nice it is to be able to talk to real people and they feel it’s safer than using the cash machines. I’m sure the hub will be well used by all our residents.”

Hornsea has been without high street banking provision since the closure of its last two bank branches in 2018.

Last year, in response to growing concerns about people’s access to cash, East Riding of Yorkshire Council completed an audit of banking and cash machine provision across the region.

As a result of the audit, the council requested a review of banking provision in Hornsea, and in September last year, Link and the Cash Access Group revealed the town would be getting a Banking Hub.

The East Riding also has a Banking Hub in Cottingham, with hubs expected to open next year in Withernsea and Hessle.

Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK, said: “I am very pleased we have confirmed the opening of the new Hornsea Banking Hub, offering local residents and businesses important access to cash services.”

Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, said: “Easy access to a bank is not a luxury, it is a vital service. That’s why after months of work I am pleased that Hornsea will be the first town in Beverley and Holderness to get a Banking Hub.”