A NEW banking hub has been launched in Prescot town centre.

Knowsley Council says the facility forms part of its ongoing plans to support the regeneration of the town centre.

Following consultation with local residents last year, many people commented on bringing other uses, not just retail, into the town centre and shopping centre.

Knowsley Council said it has been working to explore options and last week, the new temporary Banking Hub was opened.

The hub is temporarily located next to the current post office within Prescot Shopping Centre and will operate from that location while a new permanent location is identified.

The hub offers face-to-face cash and banking services and is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.

The temporary hub s located in Prescot Shopping CentreThe temporary hub s located in Prescot Shopping Centre (Image: Stock)

The Banking Hub counter is operated by the Post Office and will allow customers of most major banks to access cash and banking services.

At the Banking Hub, customers will be able to pay in cash and cheques; withdraw cash; check their balance; pay utility bills; top up gas and electricity; and access change-giving services (for small businesses).

Customers will also be able to talk to a Community Banker from their own bank, on the day that bank is in the Hub. Mondays are for NatWest, Wednesdays for Santander and Thursdays for Barclays.

There is a private space where people can talk face-to-face about more complicated banking inquiries like payments and transfers, managing your account, and how to use online banking.

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Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK: “I’m delighted to announce that we have opened the temporary Banking Hub in Prescot.

"The hub will allow local customers and businesses to access cash and face-to-face services. We are working to find a permanent home for the Hub and we’ll be able to bring some positive news about the location soon.”

Dale Milburn, executive director, regeneration and economic development at Knowsley Council, added: “Welcoming the new temporary banking Hub to Prescot Shopping Centre is part of Knowsley Council’s plan to redevelop the shopping centre itself and to complement and enhance what Prescot town centre already has to offer and to ensure that the town centre continues to thrive.”

Knowsley Council is currently working with Cash Access UK to secure a permanent home for the Banking Hub in Prescot, in the meantime the temporary Hub will provide banking services until the permanent hub is up and running.

Banking Hubs are owned by Cash Access UK and operated by the Post Office.