A search is about to begin to find a site for a long-awaited banking hub in Whitehill & Bordon.

LINK – the UK’s cash access and ATM network – has made a recommendation to open a hub in the town following a request from Damian Hinds MP.

The town has been without a bank since the Camp Road branch of Lloyds closed in 2017, with some customers facing trips to Winchester, Portsmouth and Guildford to use traditional over-the-counter services.

But that should change within the next year as operators Cash Access UK will soon ask for the public’s help as it looks for potential sites.

The hub will consist of a counter service, operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions.

Banks will operate from the hub on a rotating basis while the facility will also include private spaces where customers can speak to bankers about more complicated or specialist financial issues.

A similar set-up operates in Haslemere with the W&B banking hub likely to be the first in Hampshire.

Mr Hinds is “absolutely delighted” that W&B has been selected and believes the hub will complement the redevelopment underway.

He said: “The last physical bank branch in the town closed some time ago and we have long argued the town needs better banking provision, particularly given the number of cash dependent people and small businesses.”

Cllr Andy Tree, Whitehill & Bordon Community Party leader, called the announcement “great news” before thanking everyone involved in making the move possible.

He said: “This excellent outcome is the result of EHDC officers who work with me, supporting our MP and his office, to encourage LINK to want to come here, with me being involved in discussions behind the scenes.”