Ballynahinch boost as banking hub gets new permanent base

24 September 2025

BALLYNAHINCH’S new banking hub will soon have a permanent base in the town.

Cash Access UK has confirmed that work to transform the former Nothern Bank building at High Street into the new hub starts next Monday.

In the meantime, the temporary hub will continue to operate from the CWU hall at Windmill Road, where services are available for Ulster, Barclays, Danske and Santander customers.

News of the permanent base has been welcomed by Strangford MLA Nick Mathison.

He said it’s “welcome to hear” that a permanent lease has now been completed for the new banking hub premises.

“Alliance led the path for this provision following our request for a community consultation on a community banking hub within the town,” said Mr Mathison.

“It is great to see it going from strength to strength and the confirmation of a new, permanent location will hopefully provide reassurance to residents that the service is here to stay.”

Mr Mathison said the Ballynahinch banking hub provides a number of banking services for residents on site.

He added: “At a time when so many banks are moving to online provision only, it is welcome to see this service flourishing, especially for those who are not confident online.”

Cash Access UK says the start of work on the permanent hub marks a “significant milestone” in its commitment to providing accessible banking services in Ballynahinch and looks forward to welcoming customers to the new hub in due course.

Customers of all major banks can visit any weekday between 9am and 5pm to carry out regular cash transactions, including withdrawals and deposits, as well as checking balances or paying bills.

Additionally, the banking hub offers a community banker service where customers can talk to their own bank in a private space about more complicated issue on the day their bank is in the hub.

The hub is open to Ulster bank customers on Monday, Barclays on Wednesday, Danske on Thursday and Santander on Fridays.

In addition to local hubs, others are operational in Kilkeel, Warrenpoint and Portrush, with Ballynahinch recommended for the much-needed facility by banking hub LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, following a community request by local councils.

Banking hubs offer a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions from Monday to Friday.

The hubs also offer a community banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated banking issues.

The community bankers work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week, with business customers welcome to use the counter services to make cash withdrawals, cash and cheque deposits and other cash services including floats and coinage.

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