PERSHORE’s temporary banking hub will remain permanently at the library, the town council said.
A temporary banking solution was installed at the town’s library two years ago as Lloyds on Broad Street – the final bank to operate in the town – shut its doors.
The hub offers a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks can carry out regular cash transactions, and is available Monday to Friday.
It also offers a community banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues on the day their bank is in the hub.
Since opening, the temporary hub at 32 Church Street has become a well-used and valued community asset, with customers becoming familiar with accessing services from its current location.
Recognising the importance of maintaining this convenience, the council which owns the building, has made it a priority to retain both the banking hub and library services under one roof.
Town clerk Charlie MacIntyre, said: “We are extremely pleased to have secured the permanent banking hub in its current location.
“Over the last two years, residents have become accustomed to accessing banking services from this site, and it was important to us to preserve the convenience of having two valued community services operating together.”
To accommodate the hub in the long term, improvements will be made to the library building to create a larger, more accessible space for customers.
During the refurbishment period, the temporary banking hub will remain fully operational and will relocate to an upstairs area within the building.
In Pershore, the community bankers are available on the following days:
Monday: NatWest
Tuesday: Lloyds
Wednesday: HSBC
Thursday: Barclays
Friday: Santander
The council has worked closely with Worcestershire County Council Library Services team and Cash Access UK to secure the long-term future of banking services in the town and ensure residents continue to have access to essential face-to-face banking facilities.
Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK: “The location at Pershore Library has proved popular and we are delighted to be able to confirm, subject to contracts, we plan to make this its permanent home.
“The expanded hub will play a key role in providing access to cash and banking services to the local community. I would like to thank Pershore Town Council and the team at the library for hosting the banking hub”.
Mrs MacIntyre thanked the library services team and Cash Access UK for their collaborative approach in helping us achieve this positive outcome.
“By retaining the hub within a town council-owned property, the arrangement will provide a long-term source of income,” she said.
“This income can then be reinvested into maintaining and improving public assets, delivering lasting benefits for our community,” Mrs MacIntyre added.
The banking open is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
Hub staff will be available to support customers who require assistance using the lift.
