The new permanent Crieff Banking Hub at 17 High Street has garnered praise as it officially opened its doors for business. Strathearn ward councillor Stewart Donaldson inaugurated the financial facility during a ceremony last Friday, cutting the ribbon to mark the occasion. The hub was previously hosted within the Crieff Connexions base on Church Street for a temporary period before transitioning to its high street location.
Recommended for the town by LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, the Crieff Banking Hub was established following the closure of Crieff’s last physical bank branch. Councillor Donaldson, an SNP elected member, expressed his pleasure at opening the new hub, emphasizing its importance at the heart of the local community, despite the closures of many major bank branches. He highlighted the significance of the new-style banking hubs in revitalising town centres, supporting local businesses, and providing essential services, especially for less mobile and elderly residents.
The new Crieff Banking Hub offers a range of services, including a counter service operated by the Post Office for regular cash transactions and a community banker service for addressing complex banking issues. Councillor Donaldson voiced his hope for Crieff to set an example for other areas in Perth and Kinross, with plans for hubs in Auchterarder and potentially in communities in Highland Perthshire in the future. He extended his gratitude to everyone involved in making the hub a reality, including Crieff Connexions and the individuals managing the hub.
Cash Access UK CEO Gareth Oakley expressed satisfaction at the permanent opening of the Crieff Banking Hub, acknowledging the support received from Crieff Connexions during the transition. The new hub, situated in former SemiChem premises, is the 12th of its kind in Scotland, with plans for 11 more hubs in the immediate pipeline. The hubs aim to provide essential cash and banking services to local communities, supporting high streets and enhancing accessibility for residents.
For more details or inquiries, individuals can contact cashaccessuk@cicero-group.com. The launch of the Crieff Banking Hub signifies a positive step towards maintaining essential financial services in the local community and supporting the town’s economic growth.