AFTER the last branch of a High Street bank in Whitchurch announced its closure this week, a new banking hub is being pencilled in for the town.

LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, announced on Thursday that locals and businesses in Whitchurch will be able to access banking services thanks to a recommendation for a new hub in the town.

TSB announced that it is closing its branch in Watergate Street in May 2025 because ‘changes to customer banking habits’ but admitted it was ‘not a decision it took lightly’.

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Nick Quin, head of financial inclusion at LINK, said the hubs will replace a lot of the services lost with closed branches in the town.

He said: “Banking hubs are making a significant impact on local high streets, so we are pleased to recommend this new banking hub for the community in Whitchurch.

“Many people are still reliant on cash, so it is essential that we protect access to cash and basic banking for towns across the UK.”

Following the announcement of the closure of TSB, the final bank branch on the high street, LINK has confirmed that the town will benefit from a new banking hub as part of a wider commitment to protect access to cash.

A LINK spokesman added: “Banking hubs are a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone.

“The hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions.

“In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy.

“The banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.”

The spokesman confirmed that relevant premises for the hub are still to be found.

To date, LINK has recommended 130 banking hubs and there are currently 50 banking hubs up and running in the UK.

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The banking hub will now be delivered by Cash Access UK.

Over the next few weeks, it will begin to engage with the community and will start to look for potential sites.

The hub will likely open in 12 months’ time.