LINK, the UK’s Cash Access and ATM network, has announced that Hayle and Redruth will be the latest towns in Cornwall to benefit from new banking hubs.

The recommendations follow community requests from Sam White, the Engagement Officer at Redruth Town Council and Hayle Town Council, with the support of Perran Moon, MP for Camborne and Redruth.

Banking hubs are shared banking spaces, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to all banking customers. When opened, the hubs 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 work on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days. The banking hubs will now be delivered by Cash Access UK.

Over the next few weeks, it will begin to engage with the local community and will start to look for potential sites. The hubs will likely open in 12 months’ time. To date, LINK has recommended 176 banking hubs across the UK.

Hayle and Redruth are the seventh and eighth banking hubs to be recommended in Cornwall, this follows the hubs that have successfully opened in Bodmin, Helston, Looe and Saltash. Bude and Newquay’s hubs will open next year.

Dr Chris Ashton, chief commercial officer, LINK: “While more people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally, we know that many people still rely on cash and face-to-face banking. That’s why we’re delighted to recommend new hubs in Hayle and Redruth.”

Perran Moon, MP for Camborne and Redruth: “I am absolutely delighted that having campaigned for quite some time for banking facilities in Redruth and Hayle, the Labour government has listened. Banking facilities have been decimated, blocking business and commerce under the Conservatives over the last 14 years. With our commitment to economic growth, this is very welcome news for Redruth and Hayle.”

Stephen Barnes, the Mayor of Redruth, said about the Banking Hub: “We are delighted that Redruth will be getting a Banking Hub. This has been identified as a high priority by the local community for a long time and it will enable residents, businesses and visitors to access cash and deal with banking matters when and where they need to! This is fabulous news for our town and will be warmly welcomed by all.’

Eleanor Giggal-Hollis, Hayle Town Clerk, said about the Banking Hub: “The Town Council is thrilled to learn that Hayle has been selected to have a Banking Hub. When the last remaining bank in the town closed its doors we, along with residents, campaigned for alternative banking services. We absolutely welcome this positive step and look forward to support this much needed initiative.”

Anyone can contact LINK by visiting: www.link.co.uk/initiatives/bank-branch-closures/

Additionally, to check for your nearest free access to cash point, you can download the app or visit the Cash Locator tool here: www.link.co.uk/consumers/locator/