Forres High Street Banking Hub plan confirmed for Clydesdale Bank
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Clarification: An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to the permanent banking hub's site as being 91 High Street – currently occupied by Cluny Estate Agents.
The banking hub's permanent site will be at 96 High Street, the old Clydesdale Bank. A Cluny Estate Agents spokesperson confirmed that there are no changes planned for their Forres branch.
We apologise for any confusion caused by this error.
A PUSH to reverse Forres' loss of banking services has succeeded, with a temporary hub to open next week and a permanent base confirmed.
Opening next Wednesday (September 20), a temporary Banking Hub will open within the Moray Firth Credit Union as a stopgap until the 96 High Street hub is complete.
Set up by organisation Cash Access UK, which aims to protect nationwide access to cash, the temporary hub will provide locals with access to banking services.
Big-name banks including Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland and TSB are among those providing services at the hub.
Based within the Moray Firth Credit Union at 53 High Street but operating independently, the temporary hub will be open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm.
It will also offer a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions every day of the week.
Community bankers will also be available to help customers talk to banks about more complicated issues.
Working on rotation with a different bank or building society each day, community bankers will focus on Bank of Scotland customers on Mondays, RBS customers on Tuesdays and TSB customers on Thursdays.
Plans for Wednesdays and Fridays are to be confirmed.
Cash Access UK said it is "committed" to delivering a permanent Banking Hub in Forres at 96 High Street, Forres, the old Clydesdale Bank.
Gareth Oakley, Cash Access UK CEO said: “While we work to open the permanent banking hub, I’m pleased to confirm we’ve opened a temporary hub in Forres which will help local people and businesses with everyday cash and banking services.
"There are already three hubs up and running across Scotland that are making a huge difference, I know the temporary and forthcoming permanent hub will be just as popular."
Ross Borkett, head of banking at the Post Office said: “It’s great news that there will be a temporary banking hub in Forres whilst we continue to work with Cash Access UK to open the permanent solution.
"I want to specifically thank the local Postmaster Paul McBain who will be delivering the hub in Forres, ensuring local businesses will have somewhere convenient to deposit their cash takings and maximise the time they spend trading.
"Operating this fourth Banking Hub in Scotland marks the further expansion of our role in safeguarding a secure and sustainable future for cash in partnership with the banking industry."
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “This is a terrific victory for local campaigners who have rightly called for local banking services in Forres.
"I shared the widespread frustration among the local community following bank closures in the town which has ultimately left Forres with no bank.
"Ever since I have been determined to find a positive solution and I am delighted that it is now coming to fruition.
"I have been pleased to work alongside the Post Office, Cash Access UK and others to ensure we found the right banking hub for residents in Forres.
"I am sure both the opening of the temporary hub – and confirmation of a permanent banking hub in the town – will be warmly welcomed by people and businesses in the area and I am looking forward to seeing the hub in operation."
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said: “I’m delighted to hear that a temporary banking hub is opening in the Credit Union whilst work progresses on the opening of a permanent hub for Forres.
"There’s a huge amount of support for the hub within the local community and people are looking forward to being able to access banking services on their doorstep once again.
"This cooperation with the Credit Union is to be welcomed and I look forward to the permanent hub opening its doors in the near future."
