Martin Lewis to Cut Ribbon on Acton's New Banking Hub

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Centre in the Oaks officially launched by money saving expert

The opened to customers earlier this month

June 15, 2023

There is to be an official opening of Acton’s new Banking Hub in the Oaks Shopping Centre this Thursday (15 June) at 3pm.

Although the new centre has been open to customers since 5 June, TV personality and money saving expert, Martin Lewis, will be cutting the ribbon for a formal launch of the new facility. He will be joined by Rupa Huq MP and Lord Vaizey of Didcot.

Customers of 21 different banks including Nat West, Lloyds, Santander, Barclays and Nationwide can now complete in person transactions at the hub. There are as yet no Post Office services available although you can buy stamps.

The hub will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and banks will take it turns to offer extra services like loans and mortgages.

The Community Bankers, who customers can talk to on more complicated financial issues, will work on rotation:

Monday: Nat West

Tuesday: Barclays

Wednesday: Lloyds

Thursday: Nationwide

Friday: Santander

Rupa Huq, who campaigned for the hub to be located in Acton following the exodus of banks from the High Street described the hub as ‘a really exciting new venture’.

Rupa Huq on an earlier visit to Acton's Banking Hub

The concept was originally formulated in 2021 and, since that time, there has been effective lobbying in the area for Acton to be included in the programme.

It becomes the sixth Banking Hub to be launched in the UK and the first in London, or indeed, any urban area.

The Ealing Central and Acton MP believes that banks being willing to work together in such ventures could stave off the decline of Acton’s High Street as well as improve access to cash in the area and help combat loneliness for the elderly who don't want to online bank as value human interaction. She has described the launch as a counterpoint to the use of AI.

Gareth Oakley, CEO of Cash Access UK said, “Banking Hubs such as the one opening in Acton are important for millions of people in these financially challenging times. These Hubs are having a positive impact on local communities – from the counter service to the knowledge and support of the community bankers.”

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