Banking hubs open in Hull and Market Weighton

In a commercial district in Hull where a bank branch is about to close, a new banking hub has been launched. This temporary service point, located at the Oasis Church on Newland Avenue, offers counter services operated by the Post Office, covering the business of most major banks. This initiative aims to mitigate the inconvenience caused by the closure.

In January of this year, Lloyds Banking Group announced the closure of over a hundred branches across the UK, including the Newland Avenue branch, which is scheduled to close on May 14th. In response to this situation, Cash Access UK was established to protect people's access to cash by setting up this banking hub. The organization has also opened a temporary service point on Providence Row in Market Weighton, East Yorkshire, further expanding its reach.

Gary Mitchell, the operator of the Hull banking hub, stated, "The elderly are the main users of our services, but it also gives people a reason to get out of the house, which is positive." Gareth Oakley, CEO of Cash Access UK, added, "The hub provides banking transaction services every day of the week, and for more specific or complex issues, community bankers will be on-site on designated days to provide assistance." This ensures comprehensive support for the community's banking needs.

In addition to the hubs in Hull and Market Weighton, the county has also opened four other hubs located in Cottingham, Hessle, Hornsea, and Withernsea. Claire Thomas, head of the Hull Oasis Hub, said that establishing a service point at the church will enable people to continue accessing banking services. She stated, "I live in the local community and work here, so I know how important it is for many people to be able to go to a local bank, so I am very happy to be able to provide this service here. We are a very welcoming and inclusive place."

Cash Access UK stated that they are also working to find a permanent location for the Hull banking hub, which will provide the same services. This move aims to ensure that local residents can still conveniently access the necessary financial services after the bank branch closes. The long-term solution will offer stability and continued support for the community's banking needs.