Friday March 21st 2025
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Hopes of a banking hub in a Berwickshire harbour town appear forlorn at the present time, according to a concerned councillor.
Anger is growing in Eyemouth over the lack of in-person access to banking services locally.
Local Conservative MP John Lamont has launched a petition calling on residents to back a call for LINK to provide a banking hub in the town – a move so-far resisted by the UK’s main ATM network.
Mr Lamont said: ” I completely disagree with LINK’s decision to reject calls for a banking hub.
“Local residents need access to in-person cash services. Sign my petition calling on LINK to reverse their decision and give Eyemouth a banking hub.”
But East Berwickshire Independent councillor James Anderson said a banking hub was unlikely until the regulations change.
He explained: “LINK confirmed in a meeting with myself this week that a banking hub requires the following – over 38 shops on a high street and a population over 10,000.”
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Eyemouth has a population of 4,000 – up to 9,000 if you include villages without a post office, bank and cash machine – and it has roughly 18 retail outlets.
Mr Anderson added: “Local villages and resident living outside of the town are not counted.
“These are the regulations LINK are governed by and it’s flexibility in the regulations that is required.
“The criteria is usually for a city shopping centre, very few high streets have 38 shops on them these days.
“LINK are governed by rules they can’t go outside of, so unless the rules change they can’t change the way they recommend banking hubs.
“According to them their hands are tied at this time and it’s the governance that needs to change.”
To support Mr Lamont’s petition can be found HERE.
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