More bank hubs to be rolled out as branches shut

More banking hubs are to be rolled out across the North East and Cumbria to try and fill the gap left by the closure of local branches.

The proposals are for 10 new hubs including in Barnard Castle in County Durham, Cockermouth in Cumbria, and Whitley Bay in North Tyneside.

The facilities, which are run by the Post Office and supported by banks, allow customers to deposit and take out cash, as well as pay bills.

Retired engineering director Phil Dunn, who uses the Newton Aycliffe hub in County Durham, said it met "most" of his banking needs.

"You can't do everything in the banking hub but you can do most things," he said.

"If we need to do anything greater then we have to go the main branch in Darlington.

"But generally, nine times out of 10, we can do it here."

The hubs also offer customers the chance to speak to representatives of High Street banks, with staff available one day a week, on a Monday to Friday rotation.

Staff at the Newton Aycliffe hub said many customers wanted an alternative to online banking.

Banking hub director, Paul Culverwell, said there was still a demand to discuss complex financial issues "face-to-face".

Research published by consumer group Which? in 2024 reported that 212 bank branches had closed in the North East since 2015.

Link is the national organisation which recommends where banking hubs should be located.

Its chief corporate affairs officer, Nick Quin, said there were still five million people who relied on cash "day in, day out".

"In places like Newton Aycliffe, loads of people budget in cash," he said.

He also said new hubs were being opened in the communities that needed them most.

"If there's lot of deprivation nearby, if there is a big older population, the sort of factors that play into people needing cash, we will recommend a hub when the banks go," Mr Quin said.

In addition to the Newton Aycliffe hub, five others have opened in the region in Maryport and Ulverston in Cumbria and at a temporary site in Ferryhill.

Ten more are also in the pipeline, including in Alnwick and Amble in Northumberland and Crook and Stanley in County Durham.

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