
A NEW banking hub in Comber has officially opened. Cash Access UK, the organisation set up to protect nationwide access to money, has confirmed the new banking hub in Comber is now open at The Square.The hub was officially opened by Ivan Minnis, who made the original request for the hub.The hub offers a counter service operated by the Lisbane Post Office, where customers of all major banks can carry out regular cash transactions, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. “We are very excited to have reintroduced banking services in Comber Town Centre after a few years hiatus,” said Dale Beckett, of Lisbane Post Office.“After a rigorous application process, my brother Aaron and I secured the contract with the Post Office to operate the Hub. “We provide banking services at the counter, to include cash, change and cheque transactions, Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. “One of our big advantages is our community bankers, with a different bank available each day to speak with face to face. “The opening of the Hub has created two new jobs on the high street which is great news for Comber Town Centre and a great job our new staff are doing too, running the Hub.“We are very proud to serve the community of Comber through the Banking Hub and neighbouring village of Lisbane through our Post Office and SPAR in the centre of Lisbane.”The Hub offers a community banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues on the day their bank is in the hub. In Comber, the community bankers are available on the following days:Monday: BarclaysTuesday: SantanderWednesday: Danske BankThursday: Ulster BankFriday: No community banker available.Strangford MP Jim Shannon has welcomed the opening of the Hub.“The closure of Danske Bank had left a vacancy in the busy market town of Comber and the lack of access was difficult for local businesses and residents,” said the MP. “The Post Office has helped to fill some of the gap but what the banking hub has done is to ensure that the major banks are available in rotation and all of these available in partnership with the Post Office. “This is ecumenical banking at its best with all the major banks working together to bring everyday banking and access to cash to the community. Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK said: “I’m happy to announce the opening of our Comber hub, ensuring crucial access to cash and face-to-face banking services for residents and businesses across the community. “Customers can visit on 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.”If you would like to know more about the banking hubs, please contact: cashaccessuk@cicero-group.com.