CATHERINE Fookes, MP for Monmouthshire, officially opened Monmouth’s new banking Hub yesterday, giving local residents and businesses access to vital face-to-face banking services.

Located in the heart of Monmouth Hight Street, the hub is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. It allows residents to carry out personal banking every day, including paying in cash and cheques, withdrawing money, and checking balances, alongside services for local businesses and charities.

Catherine Fookes MP said: “Banking Hubs are so important, and I am so pleased we now have one in Monmouth.

“I’ve been campaigning for hubs in Monmouthshire since 2023, because with bank branches closing on our high streets, we need to make sure people can still access cash. These hubs are a lifeline for older residents who may not be able to use online banking, for families, and for businesses and charities that still need access to cash.”

During the opening, Catherine met with and thanked representatives from Cash Access UK, local banks, and the hub’s new staff team.

“I’m proud the Government is aiming to have at least 350 Banking Hubs across the UK, with 235 already delivered. As MP, my aim is to ensure that every Monmouthshire town has access to banking services, and I will continue to push for more banking hubs across Monmouthshire.”

The hub is owned by Cash Access UK and operated by the Post Office. Banking Hubs provide shared services for customers of all the UK’s major banks. They feature a counter service run by the Post Office, as well as private spaces where customers can speak directly to representatives from their own bank.