I have recently been contacted by Garstang residents concerned about the news that Natwest is planning to close its doors. I wanted to reassure everyone that I am liaising with Natwest and Cash Access UK to ensure that Garstang still has accessible banking services.

I’m pleased to update you that Cash Access UK have confirmed that they will be creating Garstang Banking Hub – bringing cash and everyday banking services to our community.

The new Banking Hub will provide a counter service for everyday cash transactions, together with a community banking service where customers will be able to speak face-to-face with their own bank or building society about more complicated banking matters.

Banking Hubs offer easy access to face-to-face cash and banking services. Each Hub has a counter service available to all customers, Monday to Friday, where you can:

• pay in cash and cheques
• withdraw cash
• check your balance
• pay utility bills
• manage your PIN
• top up your gas and electricity
• access change giving services (for small businesses)

Customers can also talk face-to-face to their own bank about more complicated banking enquiries like payments and transfers, managing their account, and how to use online banking. Community Bankers take it in turns to visit the Hub so you will find a different bank available on each day of the week. Community Bankers are usually provided by the banks with the most customers in the community. Banking Hubs are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Having sought some reassurance for the community, I have received a guarantee from Natwest that their bank will not close until the banking hub is operational, advising:

“We want to ensure access to cash is protected wherever we have customers. Please be assured that until the new Banking Hub recommended by Link is operational, we remain committed to keeping the Garstang branch open for customers and we will be in contact nearer the time to confirm the new branch closure date, along with further details on the Banking Hub.”

Cash is still important to millions of people in the UK. Between 5 and 6 million adults say they rely on cash in their day to day lives and digital or online solutions don’t yet work for everyone all the time. With these needs in mind, Cash Access UK was set up in early 2023 by Bank of Ireland UK, Barclays, Danske Bank, HSBC UK, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest Group, Santander, TSB and Virgin Money. Although they are owned and funded by these banks, Cash Access UK is a not for profit company here to bring shared cash and banking services to communities across the UK.  Find out more about their work at www.cashaccess.co.uk.

The whole process to establish Garstang Banking Hub may take around a year or more, with Cash Access UK finding a suitable location (including of course, looking at the premises which would be vacated by Natwest), and I hope to be able to bring some further positive news in the months to come, and reassure everyone in Garstang and the surrounding area that they will maintain access to banking services both now and in the future.