Like many of you, I am deeply frustrated by the continued closure of bank branches across our communities. The recent announcement that Santander will be closing its Exmouth branch is yet another blow, leaving even more people without access to in-person banking. With the temporary closure of Budleigh Salterton’s Post Office, I know many residents are rightly concerned about the future of local banking and access to cash.
That’s why I’m pushing for new banking hubs in Budleigh Salterton—shared spaces where multiple banks operate under one roof, ensuring people can still access essential banking services face-to-face. We’ve already seen how well this works in Sidmouth, where a banking hub is providing vital services to residents and businesses.
To make this happen, I need your support. The more people who back this proposal, the stronger the case we can present. I’ve already raised the issue with the Post Office and will continue working with key stakeholders to get banking hubs set up in Budleigh, with the hope of being able to expand into other locations if successful.
If you want to bring back local banking, please take a moment to complete my short survey and have your say.