Leigh-on-Sea to get new facility to help people access cash
It comes after a 'banking hub' opened in Rochford last year
Four new communities have been confirmed as locations for banking hubs - while Leigh-on-Sea is one of six to receive support for business deposits.
It follows a review of cash access at a time when many high street banks are closing branches.
Banking hubs are similar to traditional bank branches but spaces are shared. They consist of a counter service operated by Post Office staff, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments, and carry out regular banking transactions.
In addition, they have private spaces where customers can speak to someone from their own bank about more complex issues, with staff from different banks available on different days.
The new locations that have been recommended to benefit from shared banking hubs are Bury Park, Luton, Bedfordshire; Haslemere in Surrey; Prestatyn in Denbighshire; and Welling in south-east London.
Two banking hubs are already open, with one being located in Rochford in Essex.
Link also confirmed that six additional locations will receive increased support for depositing cash, with Leigh-on-Sea among the new locations.
Bank branch closures have fuelled fears about people continuing to be able to access their money. The Government has previously said it will legislate to protect the future of cash.
John Howells, CEO of Link, said: "We're really pleased to confirm that Welling, Haslemere, Prestatyn and Bury Park in Luton will receive a banking hub and we hope more communities will apply. We know more people are banking online, but there are still millions of people who rely on cash.
"Banking hubs are proving exceptionally popular with consumers and helping to breathe life back into high streets."
Natalie Ceeney, chair of the Cash Action Group, said: "Time and time again, businesses have told me that the inability to run out to the bank at lunchtime to refill their tills or at the end of the day to bank takings is one of the reasons why it's easier to stop accepting cash.
"Local deposit solutions are vital to keeping cash viable in local communities."