By John Baron
Bramley will not be eligible for a banking hub – despite the impending closure of its last banking branch.
The Halifax branch in Bramley Shopping Centre is set to close on 12 June, with owners Lloyds pointing to a rise in banking online and mobile phone app usage.
Communities including Armley and Horsforth have seen banking hubs being created following the closure of final banking branches on the high street.
A banking hub is a shared, high-street space providing essential banking services, usually established in communities where bank branches have closed. Operated by the Post Office and funded by major banks via Cash Access UK, these hubs allow customers of different banks to withdraw/deposit cash, pay bills, and speak to community bankers
Cash Access UK, the organisation set up to protect access to cash across the UK, has said that Bramley fails to qualify for a banking hub.
A spokesperson for LINK, which carries out the assessments, told WLD: “We carry out access to cash assessments when a bank branch closes or if people in the local community ask us to, and we publish the outcome of our assessment and any recommendations we make for new cash access services.
“Our assessment in Bramley focused on cash access needs locally. Alongside a local Post Office, there are a number of free to use ATMs available that provide a convenient option for many people and businesses to manage their cash.”
A report assessing the need for a banking hub was last carried out in February.
The assessment concludes: “We are not recommending the provision of any new or improved cash access services in Bramley at this time.
“This is because our assessment shows there are already cash access services and facilities within a one-mile radius which are suitable for the needs of the local area, or the deficiency does not cause a significant impact on the local area.
“The facilities include:
- Free cash deposit and withdrawal services for personal current accounts.
- Cash deposit and withdrawal services for business accounts that allow for a reasonable mix of notes and coins to be deposited or withdrawn.
- A Post Office.
- A Deposit ATM.
- A Withdrawal ATM.”
The assessment also points to Armley’s banking hub, which is temporary housed in Armley Post Office, 12 minutes away on public transport.
The full assessment can be read here.
The planned closure of Bramley’s Halifax branch in June was part of Lloyds Banking Group’s announcement that it will close 95 branches across the country.
The decision has already been met with concern in Bramley and a petition has been launched against the proposals.
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Like I said before, it’s because me mam owes HBS £90k.
Sorry everyone.