Royal Wootton Bassett's highly anticipated new banking hub has finally opened on the High Street and is being welcomed with open arms.
The permanent banking hub is the first of its kind in Wiltshire and offers a counter service managed by the Post Office where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out cash transactions.
Run by Cash Access UK, the new hub sits in the former Post Office building on 33 High Street and has been described as "necessary" for Royal Wootton Bassett after the town lost its last bank in 2022.
"The availability of banking services to residents and businesses is an extremely important, integral part of the Town Centre offer," Lyneham Councillor Allison Bucknell told the Adver.
"There is still some confusion over exactly what a banking hub is – essentially the cash desk is “bank blind” and customers from most banks can carry out basic transactions there as if they had walked into their own branch.
"There will also be community bankers from named banks on specific days for customers who need to talk to their bank representative.
"I am extremely grateful to my councillor colleagues and to Cash Access UK for all the work they have put in to bring us this facility which is the envy of a good many other towns - now let’s make it a success!"
The Post Office counter service is open from Wednesday, March 13 for regular cash transactions for all major banks, and from Thursday the hub will also offer a 'community banker' service.
Community bankers will offer customers a chance to talk to their own bank about more complicated issues and will work on a rotation rota with a different bank available each day of the week.
Cash Access UK has confirmed the following community bankers available from 9-5: NatWest (Monday), Halifax (Tuesday), Barclays (Wednesday) Lloyds (Thursday) and HSBC (Friday).
“I was absolutely delighted to hear this announcement of the new Banking Hub for Royal Wootton Bassett," said James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire.
“It is a huge step towards ensuring access to cash and banking services, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the vibrant RWB High Street.”
"The Royal Wootton Bassett Banking Hub has now opened in its permanent home at 33 High Street," added a spokesperson for Cash Access UK.
"We look forward to serving the community from our new home."
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