Local MP Alan Mak has run a campaign to provide a Banking Hub for Havant for several years - and in his latest move he met the Chief Executive of Cash Access UK to discuss the new Hub.
He met Gareth Oakley to talk about the next steps for Havant’s Banking Hub and reiterate the importance of access to face-to-face banking and cash for local people.
Following years of campaigning by Mr Mak with the support of residents, a review by Link, which works to ensure people have access to cash, has recommended Havant for a Banking Hub. He also met the Treasury Minister responsible for banking hubs in Parliament to press the case for a Havant Hub.
The Hub will be delivered by Cash Access UK, a not-for-profit company funded by the major banks. Mr Mak is working with Cash Access on the next steps, including the location and opening date which will be confirmed in due course.
The new shared Banking Hub will provide a counter service for essential cash transactions such as deposits, withdrawals and paying utility bills that is available for customers of all major banks every weekday.
Plus there will be a community banker service where customers can speak face-to-face with their own bank about more complex matters on the day their bank is in the Hub.
Mr Mak has been working hard to ensure residents in Havant can continue to access in-person banking services when bank branches close.
When Barclays closed its East Street branch in 2022, Mr Mak managed to get the company to maintain a physical presence in the library at the Meridian Centre. After the Halifax and Lloyds in the town both shut this year, that leaves just Nationwide with a Havant branch.
Mr Mak said: "I have been campaigning with the support of residents for a Havant Banking Hub for a number of years, and it was good to meet the Cash Access UK Chief Executive to discuss next steps for our new Banking Hub.
"Residents should sign up for my mailing list to stay updated. Separately, I also want to build on this Havant Banking Hub campaign success by continuing to campaign for Banking Hubs in other communities such as Emsworth and Hayling Island, which both have no physical bank branches left."
Sign up for updates about the new Havant Banking Hub: www.AlanMak.org.uk/BetterBanking
