Following the announcement by Santander that it plans to close its Ilkley branch, Ilkley has been recommended by LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, for a new banking hub.
Banking hubs are a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone. A banking hub opened in Otley in 2024, the first in West Yorkshire.
When opened, the hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions. In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy.
The banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.
To date, LINK has recommended 224 banking hubs including 10 across West Yorkshire. In total, 19 banking hubs have been announced today.
The banking hub will now be delivered by Cash Access UK. Over the next few weeks, it will begin to engage with the local community and will start to look for potential sites. There are currently 139 hubs open across the UK.
Dr Chris Ashton, Chief Commercial Officer, LINK:
“While more people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally, we know that many people still rely and choose to use cash and face-to-face banking. That’s why we’re delighted to recommend two new hubs in Ilkley and Morley. There are almost 150 hubs open across the country and when they open, the banking hubs will be vital for the local community and high street.”