Argyll and Bute Council has offered a lifeline to Helensburgh residents following the closure of the last bank in the town. A temporary banking hub is now operating from the council’s Civic Centre until long-term alternative arrangements are in place.
Working with Cash Access UK, the council will operate the hub for an initial six-month period with the option to extend after that time. Cash Access UK is a not-for-profit company owned by nine major High Street banks to deliver basic banking facilities via shared banking hubs to affected communities across the UK.
A cash counter is available in the reception area of the building along with a private meeting room to provide banking advice to customers.
The drop-in hub is open Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm and aims to make everyday banking easier for everyone in the building and the local community.
At the new banking hub, you can:
- deposit cash and cheques.
- withdraw cash.
- check balances.
- pay bills and top up utilities.
- request change (for registered businesses)
Different banks are represented each day at the hub, offering help with more detailed queries like managing your account or using online banking. Three banks have confirmed their presence with more to follow. They include:
Monday – Royal Bank of Scotland
Tuesday – Santander
Wednesday – Bank of Scotland
Cash Access UK staff are on site daily, operating the hub, along with the rotating community bankers.
Speaking about the new banking hub, Councillor Ross Moreland, Policy Lead for Finance and Commercial Services said:
“Working with Cash Access UK, we’re delighted that we can offer this new drop-in service. We know how important it is to our communities and businesses to have access to physical banking services. Providing a licence to operate the temporary banking hub and creating this fantastic new space means a continuation of banking facilities for Helensburgh and the wider area.”
