One area has seen the largest reduction of cash machines across the whole of Merseyside.
Southport has lost hundreds of ATMs in recent years and according to consumer group Which? this decline could see those who do not use digital banking 'cut adrift' by ATM and bank closures. Analysis by the House of Commons Library has revealed the declining number of cash machines in parliamentary constituencies in the UK.
There were 82 cash machines in Southport in early February, down from 113 in July 2018 a reduction of 27%, which was the largest decline of any area in the Liverpool City Region. Across Merseyside, there were a recorded 1,347 ATMs in February, down by 225 from 1,572 in July 2018.
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That was accounted for entirely by the reduction in free to use machines, the number of which fell by 243 from 1,179 to 936. Wirral West wasn't far behind Southport with a 26% decrease in the number of ATMs from 42 in July 2018 to 31 in February 2022.
The ten places in the LCR that have lost the most cash machines since 2018:
Southport, Sefton - 113 in July 2018 to 82 in February 2022 - down 27%
Wirral West, Wirral - 42 in July 2018 to 31 in February 2022 - down 26%
Wallasey, Wirral - 88 in July 2018 to 65 in February 2022 - down 26%
Garston and Halewood, Liverpool - 95 in July 2018 to 77 in February 2022 - down 19%
West Derby, Liverpool - 76 in July 2018 to 63 in February 2022 - down 17%
Knowsley - 82 in July 2018 to 68 in February 2022 - down 17%
Wirral South, Wirral - 71 in July 2018 to 59 in February 2022 - down 17%
Riverside, Liverpool - 272 in July 2018 to 229 in February 2022 - down 16%
Sefton Central, Sefton - 64 in July 2018 to 54 in February 2022 - down 16%
St Helens North, St Helens - 78 in July 2018 to 66 in February 2022 - down 15%
Jenny Ross, money editor at Which?, said: “While many consumers have embraced digital banking, there are still millions, including the elderly, vulnerable and isolated, who aren’t yet ready or willing to make that switch and they must be protected.”
Across the UK, there were 52,969 cash machines in February, down by 12,968 from 65,937 in July 2018 and equivalent to 7.9 per 10,000 residents. A Treasury spokesperson said: “We know that cash remains vital for millions of people and we are committed to protecting access to cash across the UK."
“That’s why we have consulted on plans for new laws to make sure people only need to travel a reasonable distance to pay in or take out cash, and have already legislated to enable shops to offer cashback to customers without them having to make a purchase. We have considered responses to the consultation and will set out next steps in due course.”
