BROMSGROVE’S MP has called for support with his petition in campaigning for a banking hub in the town after recent news of branch closures on the high street.
Bradley Thomas MP said he ‘needs your support’ as he launches a crusade to ensure access to cash services for his constituents.
With the closure of Lloyds and Halifax bank branches coming in May 2025, Bromsgrove High Street will have lost four branches in just three years following the closure of Barclays in 2022 and Natwest in 2023.
The banks have cited an increased use in mobile banking services and a reduction in branch usage as the reasons for closure. The Lloyds branch will close on May 7 and the Halifax branch just a few weeks later on May 29.
To ensure residents can continue to easily access face-to-face banking and cash withdrawal services, Mr Thomas is campaigning for a permanent banking hub in Bromsgrove.
A banking hub brings Post Office cash services and community bankers together in one place, ensuring people can still bank face-to-face and access cash services.
As part of his campaign, Mr Thomas is urging residents to sign a petition to show support for the proposals.
The Bromsgrove MP said: “If we’re not careful Bromsgrove could become a banking desert and I’m not going to allow that to happen.
“The Post Office and Cash Access are planning to open more banking hubs, and I’ll be making the strong case to them that they should be opening one in Bromsgrove.
“But I need your support to help make a Bromsgrove Banking Hub a reality. Please sign my petition. Let’s make this happen.”
Alongside Mr Thomas’ newly launched petition, he recently raised the issue in parliament and has managed to secure an agreement to meet with the minister for services, small businesses and exports, Gareth Thomas MP to discuss the campaign.
The need for banking hubs has rose across the nation in recent years as more and more banks close their high street branches.
Gareth Thomas MP confirmed that the government has rolled out more than 100 banking hubs already, with plans for another 76 already in the pipeline. In total, government targets are committed to providing 350 of them.
Visit www.bradleythomas.org.uk/campaigns/bromsgrove-needs-banking-hub for more information.
