Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies officially opened the new Banking Hub in Prestatyn yesterday afternoon and is delighted it is already proving popular with residents and businesses.
Located at 35 High Street, in the former HSBC bank premises, the Banking Hub is the first to be opened in Wales.
There was a soft opening of the new facility last week, but yesterday James was joined by the Paymaster General, the Rt Honourable John Glen MP for the official opening. As Economic Secretary to the Treasury, he drove forward legislation to protect access to cash, including via Banking Hubs.
In recent years, James has worked closely with LINK and Cash Access UK, an independent company funded by nine banks and building societies (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society, NatWest Group, Santander, Virgin Money, Danske Bank and TSB), to deliver the Hub.
Speaking after the official opening, James - who prior to helping to secure the Hub for the town led a successful campaign to reinstate cash machines within the High Street - said:
“It really is rewarding to find that Prestatyn is the first town in Wales to receive a Banking Hub.
“We have seen seven banks shut their doors in the town in recent years and people were having to travel to neighbouring towns if they wished to see someone face to face.
“Whilst I appreciate that internet banking is the preferred option when banking for a great many these days, it is not possible to do everything online and some people, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, want, and often need, to physically visit a bank.
“Prestatyn also still has many businesses in the town which deal with cash and therefore need easy access to a bank.
“The Banking Hub meets these requirements, and I was not surprised to be told by staff at the Hub that it has been well-used since opening last week - with them seeing roughly one customer every 15 minutes.
“I spoke to a number of customers at the official opening, all of whom said they were grateful to have this new Banking Hub on their doorstep.
“I know the new facility will also be hugely popular with the many tourists who visit the town in the summer months.
“It has been a pleasure working with LINK and Cash Access UK to secure the Banking Hub for Prestatyn, and I look forward to seeing more Banking Hubs open across the country in the future.”
The Prestatyn Banking Hub will be open Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm for customers of any bank and the Community Bankers will work on rotation, with a different bank or building society available on each day of the week:
Monday: Halifax
Tuesday: NatWest
Wednesday: Barclays
Thursday: Santander
Friday: HSBC
WhIle it is very much hoped the Banking Hub will prove an extremely welcome and well-used facility, it is important to note that the town’s current Post Office branches will continue to offer a range of banking services also.
To watch BBC TV coverage of the Banking Hub opening, visit: https://youtu.be/Im-xoW7K3VY
