CALLS for a banking hub in a Colchester village have been backed by a member of parliament.
Priti Patel, the MP for the Witham constituency, has backed Tiptree Parish Council’s request for a community banking hub in the area.
The council has been in talks with LINK, which manages banking hubs across the UK, and a formal application has been made.
A hub in Tiptree would allow residents to benefit from counter service and customers of all the main banks would be able to withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions.
The banking hub works on a rotating basis so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.
Priti urged LINK to give Tiptree Parish Council’s community request for a banking hub very serious consideration.
Working in conjunction with Tiptree Parish Council, Priti has written to the Head of Financial Inclusion at LINK to make the case for full financial service provision in Tiptree.
In her letter of support for the Parish Council’s request for a banking hub, Priti said: “The difficulties faced by elderly and disabled people in using such a limited space at the Post Office are considerable, given the long queues for service and the waiting time involved.
“The option to seek help with their banking in the nearby town of Witham, for those who are able to do so, is also rapidly diminishing, with the closure of the Lloyds Branch in the town having recently been announced.
“The age of Tiptree’s residents is higher than average, making the absence of local banking facilities disproportionately detrimental to the interests of the Village’s older residents.
"Furthermore, Tiptree has over 110 businesses, many of whom need help with the handling of cash and coinage, as well as other banking services.
“In my view, there is a very strong case for a banking hub in Tiptree to fill the serious gap in services being caused by the closure of so many bank branches in Tiptree and nearby towns.”
Stuart Gulleford, Tiptree parish councillor, has been pushing for a new Tiptree banking hub alongside council chairman Jonathan Greenwood and Clerk Rob Williams.
He said: “I am seeking a banking hub for Tiptree following the departure of Barclays and Lloyds, which has caused hardship in the village, especially for elderly people who can’t travel to nearby towns for their banking.
“The village is now almost entirely reliant on Tiptree Post Office for its banking, which only has two counters and frequently only has one of them open.
"People often face long waits for service, which is difficult for elderly people and for those with disabilities.
“We are also very mindful of the fact Tiptree has more than 110 businesses of varying types, quite a few of whom need cash services to deal with change and other banking services.
“We have held a preliminary meeting with Link, who could provide us with a banking hub and have followed this up with a formal application.
“Our application will have to be assessed to see whether Tiptree qualifies, so there are no guarantees.
"However, I think it is an initiative worth pursuing. Everyone keep your fingers crossed.”
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