A NEW Banking Hub in Prestatyn - Wales' first banking hub - is already proving popular.

Dr James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd, officially opened the new Banking Hub in Prestatyn on Thursday afternoon (December 7). 

Located at 35 High Street, in the former HSBC bank premises, the Banking Hub is the first to be opened in Wales. 

The hub has been open to customers all week. The official opening involved Dr Davies who was joined by the Paymaster General, the Rt Honourable John Glen MP. As Economic Secretary to the Treasury, he drove forward legislation to protect access to cash, including via Banking Hub.

Cash Access UK, an independent company funded by nine banks and building societies (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society, NatWest Group, Santander, Virgin Money, Danske Bank and TSB), delivered the hub.

Dr Davies, who helped secure the 'hub' for the town and led a successful campaign to reinstate cash machines within the High Street, said: “It really is rewarding to find that Prestatyn is the first town in Wales to receive a Banking Hub.

“We have seen seven banks shut their doors in the town in recent years and people were having to travel to neighbouring towns if they wished to see someone face to face. 

“Whilst I appreciate that internet banking is the preferred option when banking for a great many these days, it is not possible to do everything online and some people, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, want, and often need, to physically visit a bank. 

“Prestatyn also still has many businesses in the town which deal with cash and therefore need easy access to a bank. 

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“The Banking Hub meets these requirements, and I was not surprised to be told by staff at the hub that it has been well-used since opening last week - with them seeing roughly one customer every 15 minutes. 

“I spoke to a number of customers at the official opening, all of whom said they were grateful to have this new Banking Hub on their doorstep. 

“I know the new facility will also be hugely popular with the many tourists who visit the town in the summer months."

The Banking Hub will be open Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm for customers of any bank and the Community Bankers will work on rotation, with a different bank or building society available on each day of the week:

Monday: Halifax

Tuesday: NatWest

Wednesday: Barclays

Thursday: Santander

Friday: HSBC

The town’s current Post Office branches will continue to offer a range of banking services also.

A further seven banking hubs are in the pipeline. Locations include Welshpool, Abergele, Abertillery, Morriston, Porthcawl, Risca and Treorchy.