A “community banking hub” in a Herefordshire town could shortly have a new permanent base.

A “community banking hub” in a Herefordshire town could shortly have a new permanent base. But despite appearances it will not function as a replacement for the town’s threatened Post Office.

Cash Access UK already operates a temporary hub from Lion’s Court in Leominster on behalf of the UK’s main high street banks, which are each allocated a different day of the week.

It has now put in a planning application (number 261781) and accompanying signage bid (261782) for a new permanent home in two currently empty units in Black Swan Walk, between West Street and the town’s Co-op supermarket.

To include a free cash dispenser, the new branch would continue to offer the current services, such as balance enquiries deposits and withdrawals, which can be transacted on accounts with any high street bank at any time, a spokesperson explained.

“If a customer of that bank has a more specific query or issue, such as bereavement or fraud, they can visit on that nominated day,” they added.

“Otherwise, it’s pretty similar to a traditional bank branch but we can serve more customers.”

So far at the temporary branch, “it’s pleasing that customer satisfaction is high, which we are very proud of”, they said.

Local resident Maria Rudnik agreed the current banking hub offers “a fantastic service” with “lovely friendly staff” – though she and others said they would prefer it to be relocated in the former Barclay’s bank branch at the top of Broad Street.

Town and county councillor Jenny Bartlett said the town was “incredibly lucky” to have the hub, so far the only one of its kind in the county, and its new location beside the supermarket and car park would be “useful”, particularly for those with access issues.

If approved, the new branch would employ a full-time staff of three.

As elsewhere, the Leominster branch is operated by the Post Office, whose logo would adorn the new frontage. But the group’s spokesperson confirmed it would not offer post office counter services.

There is uncertainty in the town over the fate of the current Post Office in the Martins / Morrisons Daily convenience store at Iron Cross will remain open now that Morrisons has signalled it intends to close the branch.