NEW attempts are being made to bring banking services back to Downend’s high street after the closure of its post office.
Councillors have made fresh applications to set up a banking hub, which would provide in-person services from the country’s major high street banks in a shared base.
And the area’s MP has set up a meeting with a government minister to discuss the loss of the post office counter, which closed in August when Morrisons shut its convenience store in Downend Road.
A previous bid for a banking hub was turned down last year – but since then not only the post office but also the two closest ‘big four’ banks, in Fishponds, have closed.
Morrisons said it closed the shop after a review of “loss-making” former McColls stores.
It refused to say how many staff worked at the shop and whether any had been made redundant.
The closure leaves residents without anywhere in the high street to send parcels, collect pensions, apply for passports or vehicle tax, deposit cash and cheques or pay bills.
Frenchay & Downend ward South Gloucestershire councillor Raj Sood has made a new application for a banking hub for the area.
Banking hubs offer counter services to private and business customers of all major banks and building societies, operated by Post Office Ltd.
They also host ‘community bankers’ from the big-four banks, who visit on a rota basis to offer face-to-face advice.
Hubs are owned by Cash Access UK, a non-profit company funded by the banks.
A previous application by Cllr Sood for a hub was turned down last year after an assessment by cash machine network operator LINK.
He said: “Link turned us down on the basis that Downend still had a post office and that residents could go to Fishponds or Kingswood for their banking.
“Since that assessment, NatWest and Lloyds have closed their Fishponds Road branches, and with the loss of the post office Downend’s case for a hub is considerably stronger now.
“I’m resubmitting our application because the facts on the ground have completely changed.
“A banking hub isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s essential for pensioners, small businesses and anyone who relies on cash, and for the future of Downend high street as a place people actually come to.”
Cllr Liz Brennan has also applied to LINK to request a banking hub.
She said: “It is more important than ever that we do everything we can to retain access to essential banking and cash services locally.
“I will continue pressing for both a replacement post office and improved banking services for our community.”
Filton & Bradley Stoke MP Claire Hazelgrove is gathering residents’ views to help make the case for a new post office.
She said: “I’ve already raised concerns with Morrisons and senior Post Office representatives directly.
“I’ve also spoken to the relevant government minister, who has agreed to meet with me on this.”
Post Office Ltd says it is “working through” bids to host a replacement Downed branch.
A spokesperson said: “We fully recognise the inconvenience the closure will cause our customers and small businesses who rely on our banking and parcel services in particular, so we want to open a replacement branch as soon as possible.
“The vacancy has been advertised. We have received expressions of interest from some retailers and we are currently working through the proposals put forward looking at the applicants and premises.
“In the interim, alternative branches are Staple Hill and Mangotsfield.”