Community Banking Hubs (Local Businesses)

What is a banking hub?

A banking hub is a community facility where residents and local businesses can access banking services in-person, regardless of who they bank with. These hubs are designed to offer easy access to cash and face-to-face banking support, especially in areas where traditional local branches have closed. 

They offer various services depending on local needs, such as the ability to pay in cash and cheques, withdraw cash, check account balances, pay utility bills, top-up gas and electricity pre-payment cards and access change giving services (for registered businesses). In addition, both residents and businesses can receive advice from ‘community bankers’ on certain days, and there are private spaces onsite for confidential appointments about banking enquiries. 

There are already banking hubs established in several locations across the country including in Surrey, in areas such as in Dorking.

Why we are reaching out for your views

In May 2025, at the request of Runnymede Borough Council, ‘Cash Access Assessments’ were carried out by LINK (www.link.co.uk) in Addlestone, Chertsey and Egham to determine whether they identified a need for banking hubs in these towns. All three proposals were rejected.

Runnymede Borough Council would like to know

• Your thoughts on the reasons that LINK have given for the rejection of our applications for banking hubs in Runnymede. 
• Insight into how you bank in relation to your local business and whether you have any limitations around access.
• Whether you think the Council should reapply for consideration of a banking hub in your closest town (from Addlestone, Chertsey and Egham).

Sharing your views with us should take around 8 minutes, and submissions will close on Sunday 8^th February at 23:59.

We will process all responses submitted and your views will be considered alongside the perspectives of local residents. Together, these will form part of a report which will be taken to elected members in March 2026, who will consider your feedback and decide whether it would be appropriate for the Council to reapply for consideration of a banking hub in Addlestone, Chertsey or Egham.