Banking hubs sorely needed

A SENIOR councillor in Northumberland has urged the Government to speed up the rollout of banking hubs in the county as more high street branches close.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local Democracy Reporter

Conservative councillor Gordon Stewart said the hubs had the potential to be a “huge boost” for the county's high streets. Labour's manifesto contained a pledge to open 350 hubs by 2029 in response to bank branch closures. By last December, 100 had already opened.

Northumberland has been hit hard by bank closures in the last 18 months - TSB closed branches in Amble and Bedlington in May 2024, while the Alnwick branches of Lloyds and Halifax shut in January 2025, leaving the town with no high street banks.