Local MP Alan Mak was the first customer as a new temporary Banking Hub opened in Havant.
After several years of campaigning by Mr Mak with the support of residents, the new Banking Hub at 39 Market Parade in Havant is now open for business.
It means people in Havant and the surrounding area have access to a range of services from major banks including Barclays, Lloyds, Halifax and NatWest.
Mr Mak’s work to secure the Hub has included meeting the Chief Executive of Cash Access UK and the Treasury Minister responsible for Banking Hubs to press Havant’s case.
The new shared Banking Hub provides a counter service for deposits, withdrawals and paying utility bills.
There is also a community banker service where customers are able to speak face-to-face with their own bank about more complex matters on the day their bank is in the Hub.
Mr Mak said: “After years of campaigning I’m delighted the new temporary Banking Hub in Havant is now open and it was great to be the first customer through the door and talk to staff.
“Access to in-person banking services and cash is vital for people who find online banking or digital technology daunting and that’s why I’ve been campaigning for a Banking Hub.
“Thanks to Cash Access UK for working with me on a temporary Hub and I look forward to us working together to find a location for a permanent Hub in Havant.”
Mr Mak has been working hard to ensure residents in Havant could continue to access in-person banking services when bank branches closed.
When Barclays closed its East Street branch in 2022, Mr Mak managed to get the company to maintain a physical presence in the Library at the Meridian Centre. After the Halifax and Lloyds in the town both shut, it left just Nationwide with a Havant branch. Halifax and Lloyds are now part of the Banking Hub.
Mr Mak has also spoken in Parliament to propose a new law to expand Britain’s network of Banking Hubs so that customers across the country have more access to face-to-face banking services.
His In-Person Banking Services Bill would help areas such as Emsworth and Hayling Island, where there are no physical bank branches left, to get their own Banking Hubs.
Under current rules, communities are often deemed to have sufficient banking provision if there is access to cash, for example if there’s a Post Office or cash machine within one kilometre of the local high street.
His aim is to ensure every town or village with a population over 10,000 is eligible for face-to-face banking services via a Banking Hub.