Plans for a banking hub in Royal Wootton Bassett to help fill gaps in people’s access to cash are taking shape.

This comes after Lloyds Bank in Royal Wootton Bassett, the last bank in the town, announced it would be closing on December 6.   

A banking hub operates like bank branches, but their services are shared, with banks providing staff on rotation so that trained specialists from different banks are available on different days.

A national agent has been appointed to investigate opportunities for a site in Royal Wootton Bassett according to Wiltshire Councillor Jacqui Lay.  

Cllr Lay added the hub should take around 12 months to get up and running.

An online survey was launched for Royal Wootton Bassett residents on October 6 to see what banking services people use most frequently.

Click here for the survey.

Cllr Lay said: "As a customer of Lloyds Bank in Royal Wootton Bassett I was dismayed to see it was planning to close in December as this was the last bank standing.

"I spoke with several people in the street in Royal Wootton Bassett, plus customers in the bank, various people I come into contact with as their local Wiltshire Councillor and even shops I use and there was a resounding response that people wanted a bank. 

"I was also lobbied by residents in my division of Purton to do something!

"Hence, I was delighted to see that Royal Wootton Bassett has been chosen to be one of the towns in the Country that could have a banking hub and had a virtual meeting with the organisation who are setting these up."

The meeting was also attended by other local Wiltshire Councillors including Councillor Allison Bucknell.  

Cllr Lay added: "The big challenge is a new location as the current Lloyds Bank is apparently not available which is disappointing.

"Input from the local community is important to ensure all our voices are heard. 

"It is the more vulnerable, older and younger people, who need an actual building and friendly faces to have that independence to deal with their finances and to also be able to use cash.

"Not all of us can, or are willing, to use online or telephone banking and many still want the anonymity of spending cash on purchases and not have to use cards. We don’t all want to be tracked to what we like to buy!’’