Preet Gill MP secures Harborne Banking Hub after years of fighting bank closures

Birmingham Edgbaston MP Preet Kaur Gill has welcomed the imminent opening of Harborne’s new Banking Hub after years of campaigning to protect face-to-face banking services on the High Street. 

The hub, which is currently being fitted out and is expected to open shortly, follows a sustained campaign led by Preet Gill alongside local residents after Harborne lost branch after branch, including Santander, HSBC, NatWest and Barclays. 

As banks withdrew from the High Street, residents repeatedly raised concerns about access to cash, banking services and support for older customers and local businesses. 

Preet launched campaigns against the closures, attended protests, surveyed residents, wrote to banks and ministers, met with Cash Access UK and pressed for Harborne to be recognised as a community that needed a permanent banking solution. 

Today, that campaigning has resulted in a new Banking Hub for Harborne. 

Preet Gill MP said: 

“This is a significant win for Harborne and one that has been years in the making. 

“When banks started closing their doors on our High Street, residents told me loud and clear that they were worried about losing access to essential banking services. 

“I was determined that Harborne would not simply be abandoned as bank after bank disappeared from our High Street. 

“I stood with residents when Santander closed. I challenged further closures. I raised the issue with Government, met directly with Cash Access UK and continued making the case for Harborne every step of the way. 

“The opening of this Banking Hub is the result of that sustained campaigning and the strength of feeling shown by local residents. 

“This is exactly what community campaigning should achieve: identifying a problem, bringing people together and delivering a practical solution.” 

The new Banking Hub will provide day-to-day banking services for customers of all major banks, including cash withdrawals and deposits, cheque deposits, bill payments and balance enquiries. Individual banks will also provide dedicated face-to-face support on allocated days. 

Preet continued: 

“Harborne is one of Birmingham’s most successful and vibrant High Streets. Residents should not have to travel across the city to carry out basic banking transactions. 

“For years people have told me how important in-person banking remains, particularly older residents, disabled residents, carers and small businesses. 

“I am proud to have worked with residents to secure this outcome and I look forward to seeing the doors open in the coming weeks.”