Closure of Keynsham’s last bank delayed

THE closure of the Halifax in Keynsham High Street has been delayed to allow time for the town’s proposed banking hub to get up and running.

The branch – which is the town’s last bank – was due to shut permanently on January 14, but that date has been put back four months to May 14.

When the closure was announced in the spring, LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, revealed that Keynsham would get a new banking hub as part of a wider commitment to protect access to cash.

Banking hubs are a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch but available to everyone.

The hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions. Staff from different banks will be available on different days.

As reported in last month’s Voice, there are plans to move the Post Office in the High Street two doors along to the former Shoe Zone shop, which is currently vacant. A public consultation on the proposals closed last month.

A Halifax spokesperson said: “As many customers now choose to bank through their mobile app or online, visits to our Keynsham branch have fallen over recent years.

“Customers can continue to manage their money online, by calling us, in person at Kingswood branch, at the local Post Office on the High Street, or at the banking hub once it is up and running.”

Transactions at the Keynsham branch fell more than 56% between 2019 and 2024.

The Keynsham banking hub will be delivered by Cash Access UK.

When plans for the hub were revealed last year, Nick Quin, LINK’s head of financial inclusion, said: “We are pleased to recommend this new banking hub for the local community in Keynsham.

“Many people are reliant on cash, and it is essential that we preserve access to cash and the opportunity for basic banking for communities across the UK.”