A new banking hub has opened in a West Cumbrian town where people can access different banks under the same roof.

The hub - the first of its kind in the town - was opened on Senhouse Street in Maryport.

The hub is owned by Cash Access UK, a London-based limited company, and is operated by the post office with employees of various banks present on different days.

At this hub, people can withdraw and deposit cash, deposit cheques, pay utility bills, check account balances, and – for registered business customers only – collect change.

The hub provides services for five different banks - Barclays, TSB, NatWest, HSBC, and Halifax.

Other banks like RBS, Virgin Money, and Santander are not available, nor are building societies like Cumberland, Skipton, and Nationwide.

The MP serving Maryport, Workington MP Mark Jenkinson, said he welcomed the opening of the hub and was invited to cut the ribbon at the venue.

He stated: “I've worked hard to ensure Maryport gets this important facility – and I am delighted that it has finally arrived.

“With recent bank closures in our area, this will provide a much-needed lifeline for continued cash access in our community.

“It is great that the hub will be in the heart of the town which will make getting access to banking services even easier for my constituents.

“Maryport is already being transformed through the £11.5m Government Future High Street Fund – and this is another milestone in the revival of the town’s fortunes. 

“Banking Hubs are the future and will allow people to access financial advice despite some branch closures.”

Mark Essex, ‘commercial and innovation director’ at Cash Access UK, said: “Mark Jenkinson was instrumental in ensuring Maryport has a banking hub in the first place – and it therefore seems fitting that he should be the one to declare it officially open.

“I would like to thank Mark, Link, and the Post Office for their roles in bringing the Banking Hub to Maryport.

“It is great to see this initiative become a reality and I have no doubt that it will complement the excellent regeneration work already underway in the town.”

The rotation of the banks being offered on each day is as follows:

  • Monday: NatWest
  • Tuesday: HSBC
  • Wednesday: Halifax
  • Thursday: TSB
  • Friday: Barclays