Market Drayton to have new banking hub as NatWest announce branch closure
Market Drayton will soon have a new banking hub after NatWest announced the planned closure of its local branch.
This move comes as part of LINK's commitment to preserving cash access, especially with the increasing reliance on digital banking.
LINK, the UK's leading cash access network, will establish the hub Market Drayton as a shared space that will function much like a traditional bank branch but be accessible to customers of all banks.
The hub will feature a Post Office counter service, allowing customers to conduct various banking transactions, including cash withdrawals and deposits, bill payments, and other routine banking tasks. Banks will likely operate on a rotational basis, ensuring staff from different institutions are available on different days.
This will be the second LINK-recommended banking hub in Shropshire, following the soon-to-open hub in Whitchurch.
Adrian Roberts, Deputy CEO of LINK, emphasised the importance of cash access, stating that not everyone can fully utilize digital services. Banking hubs provide a crucial solution for those who need face-to-face banking or prefer to handle their finances in person.
NatWest cited declining branch usage in Market Drayton as the primary reason for its planned closure. Customer counter transactions have decreased significantly, while a majority of personal customers now prefer online or mobile banking.
No date has currently been set for the closure of the NatWest branch.
