Feryal Clark speaking to ITV about her successful campaign to get a banking hub
Enfield North was home to the world’s first cashpoint. Opened on 27 June 1967
My work on this campaign:
In November 2021 I ran a survey to the local businesses on Hertford Road in the east of my constituency, where I am requesting a banking hub.
A public consultation was launched in May 2021 that ran for six weeks for residents in the Hertford Road area to share their views and experiences on access to cash and banking facilities. Several residents and community groups, such as the Enfield Asian Welfare Association, got in touch to share their views.
When asked what kind of banking facilities you would like to see in the Hertford Road area 70% of respondents selected ‘more bank branches’.
When asked if you feel that you have to travel too far to access banking facilities for your business 83% responded ‘yes’.
These responses demonstrate that there is a demand for banking services in Hertford Road that do not currently exist.
Alongside these statistics, several constituents gave personal comments which highlight the impact the lack of banking provision has had on the community in Hertford Road.
Since then…
I’ve met with LINK several times, including a walkabout recently, raising your residents’ concerns and getting your voice heard.
I’ve contacted several bank branches in Enfield North and asked what they are doing to protect their banking services and ensure they are staying in Enfield North.
I have also written to the Treasury and asked what their Department has made of the number of closures of (a) bank branches and (b) free-to-use ATMs in Enfield North constituency, the London Borough of Enfield and London in each of the last three years.
I cannot wait to see the banking hub open in Enfield North, and I want to thank everyone for all their hard work on this issue.
I will continue fighting to ensure all residents are able to access the vital services they need.
Please let me know if you have any questions on the above and what the next steps will be.
feryal4enfield@gmail.com
Enfield North Wins the Fight for a Banking Hub
Enfield North was the home of the world’s first cash machine. However, despite this, in recent years several bank branches have closed their doors for good leaving residents with no access to a bank.
That’s why I fought and secured a banking hub for our community in Enfield North, to provide residents and local businesses with access and support to manage their money without having to travel for miles.
I’ve worked tirelessly to make the case for banking facilities for our community, and I look forward to seeing the banking hub open as soon as possible.
What is a banking hub?
A banking hub is a shared banking space, like a traditional bank branch but available to everyone. The hubs have a counter service where customers of all main banks can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments, and carry out regular banking transactions. Also, they have private spaces where customers can speak to someone from their own bank about more complex issues. The banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days. The aim is that all the main banks in the area will take part in the rota.
Why do we need one?
Despite being world-leading in the field of banking, Enfield North’s banking services are severely struggling, and my constituents cannot access the banking services they need with ease.
Particularly on and around Hertford Road, I know residents and businesses struggle with accessing the banking services that they need. The two banks on Hertford Road, Barclays and Santander, have closed, and residents and businesses in the eastern part of Enfield North are finding it consistently more difficult to access the support they need to manage their money. This is soon to be made worse by the closure of Virgin Money in Enfield Town.
As you do, I want to see banking facilities that work for our local community and provide the resources and support that people feel they need.