Banking
Crowthorne Baptist Church
In common with many communities, our ‘village’ no longer has any banks or building societies, and the only post office is away from the centre of the village near the railway station, and thus not very convenient. There is a cashpoint in the high street, and another two in locations further out.
We have many hairdressers, barbers, beauty salons, charity shops, refreshment premises, and what seems like an endless number of residential and retirement homes.
The Cash Hub deals with all major UK banks
Recently, the local Baptist church opened a Cash Hub, which is open from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on Monday to Friday. Here, people can withdraw cash, deposit cash or cheques, and pay utility bills. Registered businesses can collect change. The service is free and will be extremely useful for those many people who do not use online banking and prefer to conduct their business personally. I’m sure there are a lot of grateful people in the village.
The church is in the middle of the high street, close to the local library, which is also a hub of activity.
Now, if only some philanthrope would purchase the empty buildings, and use them for something useful, rather than demolishing them and building more bijou residences on vanishingly small plots of land . . .
I've not heard of a cash hub...perhaps it's what we call ATM's. It is a beautiful church and like you, I hate to see buildings not being used.
ReplyDeleteIt's just sad to see flyers piling up behind locked shop doors.
DeleteIt is always a shame to see perfectly good buildings destroyed for no good reason.
ReplyDeleteIt happens all the time in our area. Disgraceful1
DeleteThe Cash Hub is a valuable addition for the community, especially for those who prefer in-person banking, though it’s a shame the empty buildings aren’t being repurposed creatively instead of just being demolished for more small residences.
ReplyDeleteHouse-building firms just buy all the available spaces and shove tiny houses onto them, but, of course, they're all 'executive' homes with executive prices, nothing for the young wanting to start up the housing ladder.
DeleteI appreciate cash hubs and other places that allow people access to their money, but I do think it is shameful of the banks to close all their branches. i am lucky to live close enough to the city so I can go to the main bank there and get my cash if I need, we can also get cash from supermarkets, though limited amounts and we must purchase something first.
ReplyDeleteSome people are not very mobile, for whatever reason, so easy access to cash is really important.
DeleteMuch the same as our village, except we still have a handy post office, we are asked by local shops to pay by cash where possible, as the charges on card transitions are too much for small businesses, so I always carry some cash. We have an abundance of funeral homes, which fits with our older community.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I'd forgotten the funeral directors!
DeleteCash hubs are an excellent idea. We are lucky to have a post office in our village, but they are thin on the ground too. Ours serves a lot of surrounding villages and if it is shut for some reason (if the person who works in it is ill there is no cover) people have a wasted journey.
ReplyDeleteYes, the same applies in our post office - no-one to cover for illness. Mind you, I don't blame people not wanting to take on post office business after the recent horrible fiasco.
DeleteThat is a different way of doing banking I must say. Our small town does still have three different banks and a couple credit unions with actual human beings working. Are very old downtown has mostly been converted by the three local colleges and the one Community hospital. The good thing is that the buildings are not empty.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was rather enterprising and a good way for the church to maintain its presence!
DeleteThe cash hub is interesting. We don't have those here. We do have ATM machines. The small town that I live in has 2 banks.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have three banks and two building societies and they gradually all faded away. Lots of estate agents, though, to sell all the new houses being built on tiny empty plots of land.
DeleteInteresting to see banks working cooperatively. Everyone doesn't want to bank online. This hub concept is new to me.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how widespread it is, but it seems a good idea. I'm happy to do everything online, but many aren't.
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of banks in my suburban neighborhood, including the one our account is at. However, it has less tellers than it used to so for simple cash withdrawals I tend to go to an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) located in the grocery store across the street from the bank.
ReplyDeleteIf I need cash (rarely) I use an ATM conveniently located in a small parade of shops, round the corner from my house.
DeleteWe have banks all over Camden, and churches too. And a post office right in the middle of the downtown. Plus loads of antique shops and gift shops and art galleries and local restaurants.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though you live in an area attractive to visitors.
DeleteWhat a unique, to me, solution, and you get full marks for “bijou residences.”
ReplyDelete😁
DeleteThat is a great resource for the town. There is only one bank left now in our town (not our bank unfortunately) and now that is also under threat of closure. We can use the Post Office counter in the local Spar shop for basic deposits and withdrawals but have to travel into Douglas if we need anything more complicated.
ReplyDeleteJust think of all those handy part-time jobs that have been lost to the community - such a shame.
DeleteWhat a great idea. We do still have 2 banks but they expect you to use the machines and only help after you make a phone appointment.
ReplyDeleteActually being able to talk to someone in a bank is increasingly difficult here.
DeleteBanks don't like cash. It's too much trouble for them, and they don't get a percentage of every transaction.
ReplyDeleteSucks boo! Profit is everything.
DeleteThis is a really interesting initiative by the Crowthorne Baptist Church to address the lack of banking services in the village. Providing a free Cash Hub for withdrawals, deposits, bill payments, and even change for local businesses is a fantastic way to support the community, especially those who prefer in-person banking. It's a shame about the empty buildings.
ReplyDeleteThe community tries very hard to maintain its spirit, but it's hard work.
DeleteI have never heard of a church providing such a service, but it's a great idea, since the banks have totally abdicated their responsibilities to their customers.
ReplyDeleteIt raises the church's profile, too . . .
DeleteWhat a great idea. And very convenient.
ReplyDeleteIt's in the middle of the high street, so very handy.
DeleteNice to see the church being used for something useful rather than praying , sermonising and singing to a mythical "God" that no one in their right mind has ever met.
ReplyDeleteIt's used for many things, like so many churches these days.
DeleteI love multi use centres , proactive x
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense.
DeleteYes, our high streets are definitely changing.
ReplyDeleteYour Cash Hub sounds an excellent place for your village.
I think more of these may well appear in our towns and villages.
All the best Jan
I just feel that those people who are not comfortable with computers, or don't know how to use them, can sometimes feel quite lost.
DeleteWhat a great initiative, I'm sure it was welcomed with open arms! xxx
ReplyDeleteThe local Facebook page is full of praise for it.
ReplyDeleteA banking cash hub in the local Baptist church is a brilliant idea and much needed in the community for those who don't want to bank on line.
ReplyDeleteMany people enjoy the human interaction, too.
DeleteHi Janice - we're lucky in E/b - they may be working fewer hours, but we have a range of 'money purses' ... and I always have cash on hand - partly because you never know - especially at the moment. And I want to keep cash going as some can't cope without it. Cheers - great idea in Crowthorne though - Hilary
ReplyDeleteVery wise to have some cash on hand at present. The hackers seem extraordinarily pleased with themselves and have said they will not stop. Worrying!
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