Cash access body Link has announced four new banking hubs, bringing the total number of recommended hubs to 250. The announcement coincides with Santander confirming it will close 44 branches across the UK.
The 250th hub will be located in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. The other three new hubs are in Ormskirk (Lancashire), Wilmslow (Cheshire) and Whitehaven (Cumbria) – all locations where Santander plans to close branches by the end of January 2027.
Banking hubs are shared spaces where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular transactions. They also offer private spaces to speak with community bankers from different banks on rotating days.
John Howells, Link chief executive, said: 'Almost five years ago, the first two banking hubs opened as part of a pilot to see how we could better protect access to cash. We’re delighted to announce the recommendation of the 250th hub today.' Sam Richardson of Which? Money warned that not all hubs provide the same services and urged the government to increase the target of 350 open hubs by the end of this parliament if needed.
In December, Cash Access UK opened the 200th banking hub in Billericay, Essex. There are now 210 hubs operating across the UK.
