Following the closure of all major bank branches in Prestatyn, Conservative Member of Parliament for the region James Davies MP, has worked closely with Cash Access UK, an organisation set up to protect nationwide access to cash, to set up a Banking Hub in the town - the first of its kind in Wales.
Having now been open for three months, Gareth was delighted to visit the banking hub, situated at 35 High Street in the striking and historical former HSBC branch, to learn more about its services and the scope to replicate them in Denbigh and other North Wales communities requiring banking access. He was introduced to staff members who gave him an insight into the running of the hub and success of the service so far in the community.
The Banking Hub operates 5 days a week from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and offers everyday banking services and cash transactions for five major banks on rotation each day:
Monday: Halifax
Tuesday: Natwest
Wednesday: Barclays
Thursday: Santander
Friday: HSBC
Gareth was shown around the hub by Andrew Phipson, Banking Hub Operator and Postmaster, Aaron Owen, Commercial Manager at Cash Access UK, and Dyfrig Roberts, Area Director for HSBC. Since the hub was set-up, Gareth learned that there has been a continual increase in footfall with approximately 100 – 150 customers a day seeking counter services, with hopeful projections for an increase in numbers during summertime with the influx of tourists to the area.
The Banking Hub has a key focus on accessibility, providing Welsh language services, and easing access to banking services for customers who are neurodivergent, disabled, or elderly. Surveys conducted by the hub on its service in the initial three months have shown positive reviews.
Gareth learned of ambitions to see more than 300 more hubs established over the next 2 years, and raised his interest in seeing similar services provided to Denbigh which has seen a wave of bank branch closures depriving the town and surrounding villages of access to banking and cash services.
Commenting on his visit, Gareth said:
“I’d like to thank the staff at the Prestatyn Banking Hub for hosting such a positive visit. It was great to see the invaluable service they provide.
“I was delighted to see the hub in operation, which after only three months is already a well-used service, restoring access to all the major banks on our high street.
“Over recent years we have seen a wave of bank branch closures across Denbighshire, and I have been campaigning to restore access to banking services on our high street.
“The hub and its friendly and experienced staff are a welcome addition to the local community and a superb model for the establishment of others in the area. I will continue to campaign for banking access in Denbigh and the surrounding communities so they can benefit from the same resource that I am pleased to see brought back to Prestatyn.”
