1 week Ago
Two new banking hubs are set to open in East Grinstead and Uckfield. The hubs will provide a range of services, including cash deposits and withdrawals, cheque deposits, balance checks, utility bill payments, and change-giving services for registered businesses. The hubs will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Mims Davies, MP for Mid Sussex, announced the news and said the hubs would be a welcome addition for small businesses and residents who require face-to-face banking services. Ms Davies said: "I'm thrilled we have two new banking hubs coming to us in East Grinstead town and Uckfield town. "I know this is very welcome news for our amazing small businesses, older residents, our more vulnerable residents, and anyone who needs face-to-face contact.
" The hubs, which are financed by major banks, will also cater to business banking needs, providing a convenient location for local charities, churches, farmers markets, and community groups to deposit cash. An ATM will be installed at the East Grinstead hub, but not at Uckfield, based on the availability of other ATMs in the area. Ms Davies has launched an online survey to gather residents' views on the locations and opening hours of the hubs.
She said: "I have also launched a quick online survey for residents to complete for me to feedback to CashAccess the views of residents on locations, opening hours etc. "So please do take five minutes to share your views on our new banking hubs." The exact locations of the hubs have not yet been disclosed, as leases are yet to be signed.
However, Ms Davies has assured residents that the locations will be as central as possible. She has also raised the possibility of extending the opening hours beyond the standard 9am to 5pm, and has suggested that East Grinstead and Uckfield could be part of pilot schemes for Saturday morning openings. The banking hubs will feature a rota of community bankers, with a different banker from a different bank each day, based on which bank has the most customers in the area.
Ms Davies has also suggested the possibility of a joint venture with the police to use the same building for a police station in East Grinstead. However, she was informed that banking hubs are normally stand-alone premises, but this could be considered in the future. The banking hubs are part of a wider initiative by CashAccess, which aims to have 350 hubs open across the UK by 2029.
There are currently 142 banking hubs open nationwide. The hubs are intended to become a recognisable brand on the high street, providing a centralised location for a range of banking services. The survey can be found on Ms Davies' website, and residents are encouraged to share their views to help shape the future of the banking hubs.
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