Forres gets hope of banking hub after our story

A community abandoned by the last bank in town is being thrown a lifeline – with hopes it will get a shared banking hub after The Mail on Sunday highlighted its plight.

Just over a week ago, we visited Forres on the Moray Firth on the day that Bank of Scotland pulled out of the 12,000-strong town – shutting its door for the last time on July 11.

Conservative Moray MP Douglas Ross told us at the time that the closure ‘beggars belief’ as it was a lifeline for the community, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable. But following a plea to the Access to Cash Action Group – chaired by cash campaigner Natalie Ceeney – and support from The Mail on Sunday, there is now hope that a banking hub will be provided for the town next year.

Disappearing act: We visited Forres on the Moray Firth on the day that Bank of Scotland pulled out of the 12,000-strong town

Ross says: ‘Banks have shown a completely tone deaf attitude when it comes to meeting the needs of loyal customers and it is a disgrace we now have no bank in Forres – but a shared banking hub is a solution where customers get the one-to-one service they need. We are now vigorously discussing how this could be introduced.’

Shared hubs are heralded as a solution where banks have abandoned a community – allowing the five main high street banks to share one outlet and offer basic banking to their customers.

The banks – NatWest, Santander, Lloyds (which owns Bank of Scotland), HSBC and Barclays – have staff visit on a specific day of the week to provide any face-to-face help, such as in arranging a mortgage or personal loan.

So far only two shared banking hubs have opened in Rochford, Essex, and Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire. Ten others are to open in Acton, West London; Brixham, Devon; Carnoustie, Angus; Knaresborough, North Yorkshire; Syston, Leicestershire; Buckingham, Buckinghamshire: Cottingham, East Yorkshire; Troon, South Ayrshire; Looe, Cornwall; and Welshpool, Powys.

Ceeney says: ‘Not everyone wants to do everything digitally. Face-toface support for cash access, deposits and other banking are essential for many. We are committed to delivering the support needed in Forres.’

Banks are currently pulling out of the high street at a record rate – fearing proposed Government legislation could soon stop them fleeing so easily. More than 500 branches are expected to shut this year.

The Mail on Sunday has long campaigned for laws to protect access to cash and banking services. Some 5.4million people rely on cash for their day-to-day budgeting.

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