New banking hub for town opens in library

A new banking hub has opened in a town in Leicestershire.

The new hub at Ashby Library offers a counter service, operated by Post Office employees, where customers of six major banks can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out banking transactions.

It has been set up ahead of the upcoming closure of the town's NatWest branch in Market Street this summer.

The library will host the banking hub temporarily while Cash Access UK, which runs the service, finds a permanent base, the county council said.

Dan Harrison, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: "This is a fantastic step forward for Ashby residents. The loss of banking services can leave some people high and dry and without a way of dealing with their money.

"That's why we're so pleased to host it at our library in the town centre to get these services up and running whilst they wait for their permanent space to be ready.

"Libraries are the heart of many communities and this service reinforces how vital this space is."

Gareth Oakley, CEO of Cash Access UK, said: "The hub is available for everyday banking transactions every day of the week, and for more specific or complex enquiries, a community banker will be on-site to assist on designated days."

The banks work on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days of the week at the hub, which opens 09:00 to 17:00 BST Monday to Friday.

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