Downham Market Banking Hub opens in permanent home

Downham Market has opened in its permanent home at 10-12 High Street. It will be officially opened on Friday 12 July by Deputy Mayor, Cllr Michael Lane, at 10am. 

The Hub will continue to offer a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks can carry out regular cash transactions, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. It will also offer a Community Banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues on the day their bank is in the Hub. Community Bankers will work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week:

Monday: HSBC

Tuesday: Lloyds

Wednesday: Santander

Thursday: NatWest

Friday: Barclays

The Hub was initially recommended by LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, following the announcement of the closure of the town’s last remaining bank branch. Earlier this year, while the permanent Hub was being refurbished, a temporary Hub was opened in the Town Hall. The temporary Hub has now closed.

This is the third Hub to open in Norfolk, following Harleston and Watton. Cash Access UK are also working on a new Hub in Holt.

Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK: “I'm delighted that that the permanent Banking Hub is now open. I’d like to thank the council for being hospitable while we were getting the new ready. Cash and banking is very important for millions of people and we’re pleased to be helping many communities with new services on their high street.”

Deputy Mayor, Cllr Michael Lane: “‘Downham Market Town Council were delighted to be asked to host the temporary Banking Hub inside the Town Hall and have provided the space since February 2024 however it was always a short term host until a suitable property was identified and planning permission obtained. 

“This permanent Banking Hub is a welcome addition to our high Street and the people of the town will make use of its services as we have no other banking facilities nearby other than the Post Office and the NatWest Community Scheme. 

"I wish the Banking Hub every success and implore local residents to make use of it. This is an asset to the town and must be treasured because it is often easier to resolve problems face to face, with the assistance of someone who understands. "