Across South Gloucestershire, the extensive closure of bank branches is cutting off vital services for many residents, sparking concern among Conservative councillors. Communities, from bustling suburbs to remote villages, are witnessing the disappearance of both bank branches and Post Offices, leaving essential financial services out of reach for thousands.
In response, Tory councillors have introduced a motion demanding urgent action to tackle the ongoing cash access crisis. While there are rare examples of success, such as a mobile Post Office servicing a rural village every Friday morning, the majority of residents struggle to access basic face-to-face banking.
The motion calls on South Gloucestershire Council to explore innovative solutions to preserve these services, including transforming council-owned properties into new banking hubs. These hubs, operated by Cash Access UK, allow customers to perform a range of banking tasks: depositing cash and cheques, withdrawing money, paying bills, and checking balances—serving multiple banks under one roof.
Conservative group leader Councillor Liz Brennan stressed the importance of these services: “For many, especially older individuals without online banking and small business owners, the local Post Office isn’t a convenience—it’s a lifeline. Yet, we’ve lost branches across Downend, Staple Hill, Kingswood, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Hanham, Filton, Patchway, and beyond. Without access to cash, footfall drops and local high streets suffer.”
The impact is visible in places like Downend, where a once-thriving high street now struggles. Meanwhile, villages like Rockhampton benefit from a mobile Post Office one hour each Friday, an initiative described by councillors as “extremely valuable.” A new banking hub recently opened at Turnberries Community Centre in Thornbury, offering hope for improved access.
However, many rural areas remain underserved. The small village of Doynton lost its once-weekly outreach Post Office service last March due to funding cuts, leaving residents, especially elderly non-drivers, vulnerable.
Cllr Ben Stokes remarked: “The withdrawal of funding was a severing of a lifeline for those who relied on this service. Unfortunately, the financial support just isn’t there in the system.”
The motion requests cabinet members urge the government to guarantee the preservation of local Post Office services, work closely with the Post Office and Cash Access UK to identify communities at risk, and accelerate efforts to establish new banking hubs. A progress report on these initiatives will be presented to the council within the coming year.