Louie French met with the Head of Financial Inclusion at LINK to discuss local banking and access to cash services in the constituency.

LINK is the UK's largest cash machine network, connecting all the UK’s ATMs and providing communities with access to cash through services such as cashback at retailers’ tills and Banking Hubs. LINK is the only way banks and building societies can offer their customers access to cash across the whole of the UK.

At the meeting, Louie pressed on the progress of the Welling Banking Hub which was announced in November last year following a successful campaign by Louie and local Councillors. LINK said details are currently being drawn up for the new banking hub including the shop location and Postmaster appointment which Louie will continue to monitor.

LINK explained that the banking hub will provide counter cash in and cash out services for the major banks run by the Post Office, alongside dedicated advice rooms with a different banking provider available on different days of the week via a rotation.

More widely, Louie pressed the importance of cash and banking services in the constituency and discussed ways LINK can support access to cash in Old Bexley and Sidcup.

Commenting, Louie said:

“I fully recognise the importance of banking services to constituents, particularly for elderly and vulnerable residents as well as small businesses and therefore welcomed the opportunity to meet with LINK to discuss this.”

“In particular, it was good to hear about the progress of the Welling Banking Hub which I continue to follow closely and to discuss wider access to cash facilities in the constituency including in Bexley Village, Sidcup High Street and Blackfen High Street.”