Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week

    Already a subscriber? Log in here.

    04

    Mar 2022

    Last Updated: 04/03/2022
    Business
    Business

    Community banking service to open in Knaresborough library

    by Suzannah Rogerson

    | 04 Mar, 2022
    Comment

    0

    Knaresborough has been without a bank since Halifax closed last year and just two cash machines. A new community banking branch is set to open in Knaresborough Library this summer.

    knaresborough-library-banking
    From left to right: Harrogate Borough Councillor Ed Darling who represents the Knaresborough Castle ward, Chief Executive Officer at Newcastle Building Society Andrew Haigh, Town Crier Roger Hewitt and North Yorkshire County Council’s Libraries Manager Chrys Mellor

    Knaresborough Library has teamed up with Newcastle Building Society to open a community branch which will offer much-needed banking facilities to the town.

    Knaresborough has been without a bank since Halifax closed last year and just two cash machines, which often run out of money.

    This scheme is set to open in the summer and will offer the building society's full range of services.

    A similar project was launched within Hawes Library which includes cash withdrawals and it is believed the branch in Knaresborough will offer the same.

    County Councillor Greg White, executive member for libraries, said:

    “We are delighted to be welcoming Newcastle Building Society into Knaresborough library later this year. The offer of financial services promises to increase footfall into Knaresborough library and encourage new visitors through the doors.”


    The Knaresborough site will be Newcastle Building Society's 31st site across North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.




    Read more:







    It looks like Knaresborough could have two sites opening this year offering banking services. There is another upcoming project, run by the Access to Cash Action Group, to open a shared banking hub in the town by the end of the year.

    The hub will provide help with general banking queries and more specific issues. Representatives from various banks will also work in the hub on a rotational basis. The hub itself will be fitted out by the Post Office.

    Charlotte Gale, a member of the hub's focus group, told The Stray Ferret the library's new community branch will not interfere with the banking hub but instead work as a "parallel project".

    A survey to have a say on the services the banking hub offers is still open, to complete it click here.