One of the first banking hubs in Britain will open in East Yorkshire next week.
Cottingham will welcome the new concept facility following successful pilots in Scotland and Essex as the loss of individual banks is countered in communities. It follows the opening of a hub in Brixham, Devon, as well as the trials in South Lanarkshire and Rochford.
The village adjoining Hull was selected when Lloyds, the last bank there, announced it was to close in September. It has been established in the former branch in Hallgate. The hub offers a face-to-face facility that will allow customers to access their account, deposit cash and cheques, pay bills and make withdrawals.
Read more: Ideal Heating boss on £17m expansion at 'most challenging and exciting time'
A counter service will be operated by staff from the Post Office, with selected banks will also providing advisors, initially from five banks, on rotation. They will handle more complex enquiries on a drop-in or appointment basis.
Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for economic investment, growth and tourism at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “I am delighted to see Cottingham’s banking hub open and finally offer much needed banking services to the village again. It is set to be only the fourth banking hub in the UK and we are incredibly pleased with how quickly we have managed to implement this hub.
“This is a real boost for Cottingham and I would also encourage residents to come down to the hub to find out more about the services on offer.”
NatWest will be present on a Monday, with Lloyds on a Wednesday, Santander on a Thursday and Barclays on a Friday.
Gareth Oakley, who leads the Banking Hub project,said: “Banking Hubs have the ability to transform communities wherever they open. I’ve been struck by how much of an impact the hubs have already had on people, from small businesses who tell me they are now able to sort out their banking cash needs in minutes rather than hours, to older or more vulnerable people who find internet and phone banking challenging. We are looking forward to welcoming the people of Cottingham to the Banking Hub.”
Hornsea has also been shortlisted following a request to review, and it comes in a week when HSBC has announced it is to close a further 114 branches, a list including Pocklington in East Yorkshire and Epworth in North Lincolnshire.
The Cottingham Banking Hub will officially open at 121 Hallgate, on Friday, December 9. Opening times will be 9am to 5pm.
READ NEXT:
Leading Hull businessman Dr Paul Sewell OBE takes the chair at KR
Winners crowned at Hull Live Business Awards 2022 - reaction and success stories
Wellness brand Moodbeam acquired by fellow Hull firm The 55 Group
Europe's largest battery storage system switched on early in East Yorkshire
All your Humber business news in one place - bookmark it now
