The opening date for Lancashire’s first banking hub has been revealed.

Five high street banks will be based at the hub, which will be located in the centre of Barnoldswick.

The hub has been created due to the town no longer having any high street bank branches left in the centre where customers could do in-person banking.

Cash Access UK, the organisation set up to protect nationwide access to cash, has confirmed the new hub, based in the Bank Buildings in Skipton Road, will officially open on Thursday, March 14.

The hub offers a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies 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, Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.

Community bankers work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week.

The rotation is as follows:

  • Monday: NatWest
  • Tuesday: Santander
  • Wednesday: Lloyds 
  • Thursday: Barclays
  • Friday: HSBC

The hub was recommended by LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, following the announcement of the final bank branch closure in the town.

At the time, people expressed outrage about the bank closure which worried many, who still rely on cash for their day-to-day transactions.

This is the first banking hub in Lancashire, with two others currently in development, in Darwen and Great Harwood. There are 38 banking hubs open across the UK.

The hub will be opened on Thursday, March 14, at 11am by Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson, who has fought to get a hub into the town.

Gareth Oakley, chief executive at Cash Access UK: “I’m very happy to announce that the doors of the Barnoldswick Hub will soon be open, and it is good news for local residents and businesses.

"We at Cash Access look forward to opening more Banking Hubs in Lancashire this year.”

Health minister Mr Stephenson said: “I am delighted that Barnoldswick Banking Hub will soon be officially up and running, bringing five banking options to the town and its residents.

"Cash Access UK must be congratulated on getting this done, and delivering the Hub so quickly.

“Bank branches are essential to the health and success of our towns and high streets.

"I will continue to work to support Barnoldswick and other towns in Pendle to retain the banks, shops, Post Offices and other key amenities they need.”

Ward councillor Tom Whipp, who led discussions about access to cash and provision of the banking hub with LINK and Cash Access UK on behalf of Pendle Council, said: "It will be great to see the Hub up and running.

"It's a big boost for Barnoldswick. It will help both personal bank customers and businesses. 

"The new facility underpins the town's role as a service centre and supports the growing visitor economy in Barnoldswick.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the Banking Hub serving the community and hopefully extending the services that it provides in the future.

"It was a big blow for Barnoldswick when we lost our bank branches and I want to thank all the people at LINK and Cash Access who've made the Banking Hub possible. Let's hope it goes from strength to strength!"