A new banking hub opened in Forres today, bringing five high street banks back to the high street.
Operated by the Post Office, the new hub hosts a different bank each day of the week, while also allowing many banking services to run all week through the link with the PO.
Many locals will have seen the former Clydesdale bank being refurbished for this purpose, over the last few weeks, and a temporary hub has been in operation at the Moray Firth Credit Union since the announcement was made.
People power
When the Bank of Scotland closed on 11 July 2022, it left Forres with no high street banks. Prior to that, the other banks had closed one by one over the years – TSB, Clydesdale, Royal Bank – with similar closures reflected across the country as people switch to online banking for convenience.
However, the people of Forres revolted, and MP Douglas Ross and MSP Richard Lochhead, had many meetings with the banks and banking institutions to try and find a solution. They both welcomed the opening of the hub today, and will officially be opened by them both on 15 March.
On the announcement of the closure of the Bank of Scotland, we polled the community and received 400 objections and only one who didn’t care.
However, the result is that LINK, an independent, regulated company with many years’ experience in assessing communities’ cash needs, and better known as the UK’s cash machine network, reviewed the impact of the branch closures, and decided that a service was needed in Forres.
Then another company called Cash Access UK, set the ball roll rolling to find a property and make it ready for business. The Post Office appointed a Banking Hub Operator and Community Bankers were appointed.
Douglas Ross MP said: “I have been proud to play a part in bringing a Banking Hub to Forres and it is fantastic to see it opening on the High Street. Forres has been hit hard by major banks abandoning the town in recent years and shutting branches, but this is a very welcome development.”
Richard Lochhead MSP said: “I’m delighted that Forres Banking Hub has now opened its doors and people can now access vital banking services on their doorstep once again. As local MSP I was pleased to support the community’s calls for a banking hub on Forres High Street and this facility will go some way to fill the gap left behind by bank closures in recent years.”
Questions?
On our Facebook group post, many people were apparently confused about whether cash and cheques could be paid in.
We’ve pulled together what we know, but customers should pay the hub a visit if they have any questions. That’s what it’s there for.
What banks are in the hub?
The banks participating are:
- Monday – Bank of Scotland
- Tuesday – Royal Bank of Scotland
- Wednesday – Santander
- Thursday – TSB
- Friday – Virgin Money
Can I pay in cheques and cash or withdraw cash?
The services available are:
Personal customers
- Pay in cash and cheques
- Withdraw cash
- Check your balance
Business customers
- Pay in cash and cheques
- Withdraw cash
- Access change-giving services
Bill payments
- Pay utility bills
- Top up your gas and electricity
Where is it and when is it open?
The hub is at 96 High Street, Forres IV36 1NX (in the former Clydesdale Bank building ) and it’s open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
Comment on this on Facebook
Please can you tell ke if The royal Bank of Scotland can cas cheques for in trust accounts where our signatures have to be verified. Thanks.
TSB customer on a Thursday will I be able to speak with TSB representative for a personal query. Regards HMAA