Access to cash and local banking services are still vital for many living in Mid Norfolk – especially the elderly, the vulnerable and small businesses.

That’s why, I am delighted that the new Watton Community Banking Hub service is now in operation and serving the local community – from its temporary home in Wayland House (High St, Watton, Thetford, IP25 6AR).

This is fantastic news for the town.

With several banks closing their Watton branches in recent years, I know how difficult it has become for many in the Watton area to get the support they need, when they need it. I therefore welcomed LINK and Cash Access UK’s recognition of those difficulties, as well as the opportunity to have conversations with them, local Breckland councillors Claire Bowes and Tina Kiddell and Breckland council officers back in the summer to support their efforts to secure a new Community Banking Hub on the High Street (see more here).

While work on a permanent location is being finalised (with a suitable location on Watton High Street already found), Cash Access UK have moved quickly to set up a temporary location in Wayland House – ahead of Christmas – in order to give local residents and businesses the support they need.

Open five days a week, the temporary hub will offer a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks can carry out regular cash transactions. It also offers a Community Banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues.

Community Bankers will work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week:

Monday: TBC

Tuesday: NatWest

Wednesday: HSBC

Thursday: TBC

Friday: Barclays

I look forward to seeing the temporary hub in action first-hand – and to visiting the permanent hub in the new year.

More details on Cash Access UK, LINK and the Community Banking Hub programme can be found here

Rest assured, I will continue to do all I can as part of my ongoing campaign with local councillors across Mid Norfolk to ensure our communities have the banking and access to cash provision they need.

For more information on my access to cash and local bank services campaign, please see my campaign page here