Banking hub to come to Leighton Buzzard before closure of Santander

Cash Access UK is currently searching for a location in the town and five banks will have representatives who visit each week.

And if one isn’t found before the closure of Santander, a temporary hub will open to serve the town until a permanent one is established.

Customers will be able to withdraw cash, check their balance, pay utility bills, top up their gas and electricity, and pay in coins, notes, and cheques. Businesses will also be able to access change-giving services and pay in and withdraw money.

A drop in session to find out more was held at Santander on Tuesday, July 7.

Cash Access UK regional manager (midlands), Ian Lambert said: "I went to Santander, the last bank in town, while it's under a notice of closure to offer a drop in event for customers and anyone else. It's a chance to be reassured that a banking hub is on its way – and it helps to let the staff know what's going on and keep everyone up to speed.

"I was there between 10am and 3pm and didn't stop, talking back to back with customers. It was an excellent start for us because we are trying to reach out to as many people as possible."

Cash Access UK is undertaking a search for a suitable property for the hub, with its target postcode the same postcode as the Santander branch.

Meanwhile, the Post Office is looking to recruit a banking hub operator to run the hub in its new location.

Leighton-Linslade Town Councillor Mark Freeman, who is also chair of Leighton-Linslade Carnival Committee (independently from his role as councillor), attended the drop in session.

He said: "The carnival and other organisations deal with cash, and without banks a lot of smaller organisations are up against it. Next week, I'll have to go to Milton Keynes to hand the [carnival] cash over – we can't take hundreds of coins to the Post Office.

"It seems on the surface of it that a hub will go a long way to alleviate some of the problems we have got in terms of banking.

"It just seems crazy that a town the size of ours, that is growing, has lost all its big banks over the last three years. Leighton Buzzard has become a banking desert.

"We are left with Santander, and Nationwide – a hybrid between a building society and a bank, and Harpenden Building Society."

The hub will also be a welcome lifeline to residents who cannot – or choose not to – use internet banking.

Cllr Freeman concluded: "Hopefully it will be a light at the end of the tunnel."

Cash Access UK is now researching and selecting a 'big five' for Leighton Buzzard – five of the town's (formerly) biggest banks.

Each one will have a representative who visits the hub on a set day each week – for example, each Monday – allowing customers to ask more complex questions or questions specific to their bank.

This will not mean that their banking customers are restricted when it comes to access – they will be able to use the hub's money services any day they choose.

Ian added: "Cash Access UK is a not for profit company paid for by its member banks, which pay for the banking hubs as well. They share the cost of the banking hubs and Cash Access UK.

"Meanwhile, the Post Office runs our cash counter services. It's important to note that Cash Access UK and the Post Office co-exist.

"The banking hub will not deal with stamps or parcel/letter services. The Post Office services remain the department of the Post Office."

If you have any questions for Cash Access UK, please email [email protected]. You can also call 020 4583 1200 or visit its website to find out more information.