For some time I have been campaigning, alongside local residents, residents associations, local councillors Ian Parker, Luke Shortland and Mario Creatura, and Mayor Jason Perry, for Coulsdon to get a new Banking Hub.
Last year I shared the great news that not-for-profit Cash Access UK had agreed with all those campaigning on the need for a Banking Hub in our neighbourhood and that they planned to open one in Coulsdon.
Today, I am delighted to report that a lease has now been signed and work has begun to fit out our new Hub at 152 Brighton Road.
With frontage on both Brighton Road and Chipstead Valley Road, our new Hub will be behind Park & Bailey estate agents and opposite Tesco Express (where there also remains a free to use ATM).
Fitting out has already begun and Coulsdon’s Hub is due to open to residents by the end of March. I’ll keep you updated.
Once open, whoever you bank with, you will be able to drop in Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, for the vast majority of your banking needs. This will be at a counter operated by the Post Office and includes:
• paying in cash and cheques
• withdrawing cash
• checking balances
• paying utility bills
• topping up gas and electricity
• accessing change-giving services (for small businesses)
Customers will also be able to talk face-to-face to their own bank or building society about more complex banking enquiries (with a private meeting room available).
Community bankers are usually provided by the banks with the most customers in the local area (including bringing back some banks already closed where applicable).
The community bankers work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week for these more complex services and face-to-face appointments, such as payments and transfers, managing accounts, and how to use online banking.
I will write again with another update once it is confirmed which banks will be providing a community banker in the Coulsdon Banking Hub, and to share the exact opening date.
