A NEW banking hub for Kilwinning has opened its doors, providing local residents and businesses with basic banking and cash services following the closure 

Cash Access UK have opened the hub in a temporary location for now - Kilwinning Library, on St Winning's Lane.

They are now looking for a permanent base for the banking hub in the town, which opened for the first time on Monday, March 4.

The town's last permanent branch shut its doors when the Royal Bank of Scotland pulled the plug on its facility in the town in 2018.

Open from Monday to Friday, the hub will offer a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions.

It also offers a community banker service, where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues.

Community bankers will work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week.

Santander customers can see a community banker on Mondays from 10am-1pm and from 2-5pm.

Tuesday will offer a service from the Royal Bank of Scotland from 10am-1pm and from 2-5pm.

Wednesday will see a Bank of Scotland community banker in the library from 10am until 12.30pm.

On Thursday, it will be time for Barclays, with a representative in the hub from 10am to 1pm and from 2-5pm.

Virgin Money will be at the library on Fridays, from 10am to 1pm and from 2-5pm.

While the new hub is up and running, Cash Access UK continue to seek a permanent home for the Banking Hub.

This is their second hub in Ayrshire, with the first open at a permanent location in Troon.

Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK, said: “I’m happy to announce that our temporary banking hub in Kilwinning is now open.

"Residents can now enjoy access to cash and face-to-face services once again. We’ll be able to provide an update to the community on a permanent location for the hub soon.”

Councillor Alan Hill, North Ayrshire's cabinet member for communities and islands, said: “The Library Service is excited to be involved in supporting Cash Access UK on this new initiative in Kilwinning Library.

“Our public libraries are at the heart of our communities, and this makes them the ideal place where local people can access a range of resources, including banking services.  

“We are delighted to be in a position to support the needs of the local community in this way and we hope to be welcoming some new faces into the library as they visit the bank."

If you would like to know more about the Banking Hubs, please contact cashaccessuk@cicero-group.com. 

Cash Access UK is a not-for-profit company owned and funded by nine major banks.