Banking services return to Launceston with opening of new hub

BANKING services are set to return to Launceston with the official opening of the town’s banking hub.

In June 2025, NatWest, the town’s final bank, announced that it planned to close it’s Launceston branch, however, this could only be done following the opening of a banking hub. Cash Access UK then revealed its plans to introduce a banking hub within the town, ensuring that residents can continue to carry out their banking needs.

Now, the organisation, which has been set up to protect access to cash across the UK, has confirmed that the banking hub in Launceston has opened in its permanent location at 19-21 Broad Street, the site of the former Santander, and is set to host an official opening in the coming weeks.

The official opening is penned for Friday, August 21, at 11am, with Ben Maguire, Lib Dem MP for North Cornwall, and mayor of Launceston Cllr Nicola Gilbert attending to cut the ribbon.

The site aims to offer residents access to all major banks, with representatives from each visiting the space once or twice a week, as well as facilitating withdrawals, deposits, balance checks and bill payments.

A spokesperson from Cash Access UK explained: “Customers of all major banks can visit the hub any weekday between 9am to 5pm to carry out regular transactions including withdrawals and deposits as well as checking balances or paying bills. Additionally, the hub also offers a community banker service where customers can talk to their own bank in a private space about more complicated issues on the day their bank is in the hub.”

Bankers are scheduled to be on site during the following periods:

The spokesperson continued: “Launceston’s banking hub was recommended by LINK, the UK’s ATM network, following the closure of the town’s last remaining bank branch. While the site for the permanent hub was being refurbished, a hub was opened at a temporary location at the Gateway Centre. These services will now move to the new hub.”

With the decline of high street banks as services move in favour of a digital approach, Cash Access UK has established ten hubs across Cornwall so far, with one in progress in Camborne.

Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK: “I’m happy to announce the opening of our Launceston hub, ensuring crucial access to cash and face-to-face banking services for residents and businesses across the community. The way we bank and pay for things is changing, which is why we are rolling out solutions including banking hubs as well as deposit ATMs that help small businesses to readily bank cash.

“Customers can visit any day of the week for their everyday banking transactions, and if you have a specific or more complex enquiry for your bank, a community banker will be there to help on the day they’re in the hub. A huge thank you to the team at the Gateway Centre for hosting us while we searched for this permanent home.”