Plans to reintroduce high street banking to Troon have taken a step closer to reality.
The Ayrshire town currently has no traditional banking facilities.
The last remaining one — the Bank of Scotland branch in Troon’s Templehill — closed in September.
However, plans have been drawn up to introduce a new bank ‘hub’ in the town’s Ayr Street, Ayrshire Live can reveal.
A planning application has been submitted to South Ayrshire Council, seeking permission for a change of use to an empty retail unit and transform it into the new hub.
The proposals are on the council’s online planning portal and listed as ‘pending consideration.’
If approved, the new hub would operate at 11 Ayr Street, Troon.
A company called JLL are behind the plan and they are acting on behalf of applicants UK Finance Ltd.
In a supporting statement JLL said: “At a time when local banking facilities are closing, the banking hub offers an alternative facility for the community.
“Provision of a banking hub within the ‘retail core’ of an established town centre would constitute sustainable development.
“Additionally, the proposed development would contribute to the vitality of the high street, bringing a currently vacant retail unit into a use which will attract people to the town centre, increasing footfall in the local area.”
If it goes ahead, opening hours of the Hub will be 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, although there “may be scope” in the longer term to operate on Saturdays.
JLL said: “Banking hubs are open to customers of all the major UK Banking providers.
“Troon was identified earlier this year to get a hub following the announcement of the closure of the last bank in town, Bank of Scotland.”
A Banking Hub is a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch- but available to everyone.
The hubs currently consist of a counter service that will be operated by Post Office staff, where customers of the UK’s main banking service providers can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments can carry out regular banking transactions.
In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to someone from their own bank about more complex issues.
The banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.
UK Finance Limited is the collective voice for the banking and finance industry.
Representing around 300 firms across the industry, they act to “enhance competitiveness, support customers and facilitate innovation.”
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