LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network has confirmed that Hailsham will receive a banking hub, which is excellent news for the town’s residents amid the closure of the local Lloyds and Halifax bank branches in March 2025.
The hub, a shared banking space similar to a traditional bank branch but available to everyone, will be one of 15 being established across the UK and will have a counter service operated by the Post Office. Staff from major banks will operate on rotation to provide customer support and access to individual banks’ services. In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require privacy or specialist knowledge (e.g. loans and mortgages).
Whilst the location of the new hub is not yet confirmed, residents say it’s a welcome relief following the closure of several bank branches in the town, with more to shut next March.
LINK has confirmed that, as part of recently updated rules introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) that strengthen the previous voluntary rules set up by the banking industry, an earlier recommendation to provide Deposit Services that support small businesses, will be upgraded to a banking hub that can support personal and business customers.
The new hub will be delivered by Cash Access UK, who has already started the process of looking for a location to host the hub. The hub will likely open in late 2025 and any customer can find their nearest free to use cash access point (including ATMs, Post Offices and Banking Hubs) via the LINK Cash Locator App and website here: https://www.link.co.uk/cash-locator
Adrian Roberts, Deputy CEO of LINK commented: “We’re pleased to recommend this new hub in Hailsham. Access to cash remains vital for millions of people across the country and the new rules that come into force today mean that people will be able to access cash on the high street for many years to come.”
The Town Council, delighted to hear that Hailsham will soon benefit from a banking hub, continues to raise awareness to residents of the availability of post office banking services for individuals and businesses, as more bank branches close their doors.
Customers using the post office located at 10 High Street are being reassured that normal bank transactions can be carried out in branch, including business deposits. This service is free of charge and, provided customers have their debit card with them, they can check your balance and withdraw or deposit cash. If you don’t have a debit card, some banks will still allow you to deposit cash via the Post Office, if you have a deposit slip.
However, customers cannot transfer money from their account at the Post Office, or get advice on savings, credit, mortgages or other forms of lending offered by your bank. For these, you will need to contact your bank direct either by telephone or online. Information on which banks offer what services at the Post Office is available online at https://www.postoffice.co.uk/everydaybanking.
“We are delighted that a permanent Banking Hub will be established in Hailsham next year, which will complement the provision of our local post office – of which the Town Council is the franchisee,” said Cllr Mary Laxton of the Town Council’s Post Office Working Group. “The fact that such an essential service will be delivered locally is excellent news for many residents and will be highly beneficial to our community.”
“Since June 2015, around 6,000 bank branches have closed throughout the UK and many banks tell us that changes in customer behaviour have been the driving force and principal reason for this. An increasing number of people bank online and consequently make far fewer visits to branches. Whilst we fully understand the considerable uptake in the use of online banking in recent years, there are still people, particularly the elderly, who like to visit their branches and bank in person.”
“This is where the forthcoming Banking Hub can help considerably. Add to that the town centre Post Office, a facility which we saved from closure in 2018 which is conveniently located for local businesses and residents, especially the elderly who often rely heavily on ease of access to local post office services, including many banking services.”
Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk