Banking hub set to open in Kent town

A new banking hub is set to open in a Kent town.

The hub in Rainham 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.

Cash Access UK, who will deliver the hub, is to consult with the local community over the next few weeks to find a suitable location.

The banks work on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days, according to Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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.

Across the UK there are more than 226 banking hubs, with a further 150 planned to open.

The Rainham hub will be the fourth in Kent, with one open in Sheerness and two planned for Dover and Tonbridge.

The move follows a request from Naushabah Khan, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, to Link, the UK's main ATM network.

Ms Khan said: "The closing of NatWest last year removed a key local banking resource, and ever since constituents have consistently told me that Rainham desperately needs more in-person financial services."

Dr Chris Ashton, chief commercial officer of Link, said: "While more people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally, we know that many people still rely on cash and face-to-face banking."

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