UK’s 250th banking hub opens in Chepstow, keeping access to cash and face-to-face banking in the town

• Access to cash and face-to-face banking protected in Chepstow as new banking hub opens.
• The 250th banking hub in the UK will be opened by Treasury Minister Lucy Rigby, keeping a vital service on people's doorsteps and supporting the growth of local businesses.
• Part of wider work to improve access to banking services across the UK and follows the manifesto commitment to deliver at least 350 banking hubs this parliament.

THOUSANDS of local residents and more than 100 businesses in Chepstow will retain access to cash and essential face-to-face banking services when the UK's 250th banking hub officially opens town today.

It follows the announced closure of Chepstow's last remaining bank branch next month, which would see residents having to travel eight miles to Lydney for the nearest branch. That journey can take around 30 minutes by public transport and cost £4, creating a particular barrier for people who rely on nearby in-person services.

The new banking hub means the ability to deposit and withdraw cash, deposit cheques and access community bankers has been protected for local people - a move that keeps a vital service on people's doorsteps and supports business growth. The hub also has an external free-to-use ATM to provide 24-hour access to cash for the community.

Set to be officially opened by the Treasury Minister Lucy Rigby today - the new banking hub is the 250th to be opened since a commitment was made in the manifesto to deliver at least 350 hubs by the end of this parliament. Banking hubs have been opened in other towns across Wales, including Holyhead, Prestatyn and Porthcawl.

Banking hubs are owned by Cash Access UK, the not-for-profit organisation bringing shared cash and banking services to communities across the UK. The hubs provide daily cash counter services for customers to withdraw and deposit cash where traditional bank branches have closed, leaving communities without access to cash. They also provide some wider in-person banking services with multiple high street banks represented in the hubs through rotating community bankers.

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Rt Hon Lucy Rigby KC MP, said:

This new banking hub means that local residents will still have access to important services they rely on.

We're well on our way to opening 350 hubs across the UK - a manifesto commitment and a key part of our Financial Inclusion Strategy - which will ensure that people and businesses all over the country have the access to cash and face-to-face banking services they deserve.

Secretary of State for Wales, Rt Hon Stephen Kinnock MP, said:

People and businesses across Wales want services such as banking to be available in their local communities - and that's what we are delivering via the new hubs.

The UK Government is determined to make local services work better for people, and I'm delighted for the people of Chepstow that this new hub will serve their community so that face-to-face banking continues long into the future.

Gareth Oakley, CEO, Cash Access UK said:

I'm happy to announce the opening of Chepstow as our 250th hub, ensuring crucial access to cash and face-to-face banking services for residents and businesses across the local community.

The services are hugely popular, with a busy front desk to support cash transactions and a rotating community banker to support face-to-face banking needs. This year we've opened a new hub every week, so we see the real difference it makes to the local community and are proud to be bringing this service to Chepstow.

Natalie Ceeney CBE, Chair, Cash Access UK, said:

Every one of our 250 banking hubs exists because millions of people and small businesses across the UK need somewhere to walk in, deposit their takings, withdraw cash, or sit down with someone face to face about their banking.

Since the start of 2026, more than eight million transactions have been supported across all banking hubs and deposit services, showing that face-to-face banking and access to cash is still vital for those that need it. We are working together with the major UK banks to provide this service and will continue to do so in order to support communities across the UK.

This follows the independent Review into Access to Banking Services, commissioned by the UK Government in May, which will examine the impact of changes in access to in-person banking services and identifying whether this is causing detriment to consumers, communities and businesses. The review will make recommendations to Government in October.