On this day in 2024, plans for a new banking hub in Harpenden were finally given the green light after almost three years of campaigning.
The town council confirmed that Harpenden had been allocated a hub following the mass exodus of high street banks in recent years.
Back in February 2023, Harpenden Town Council had applied to the relevant bodies, setting out the case for the hub.
This application was initially rejected despite strong support, including from then MP Bim Afolami.
Banking hubs are facilities open to clients of all banks, where face-to-face banking services are available to those who still want or need them.
The council embarked on a lobbying campaign for changes to the criteria in a bid to secure a banking hub for the town.
This campaign included liaison with the previous and current government and institutions such as the Financial Conduct Authority.
At the time, councillor Pip Liver, mayor of Harpenden, said: "Confirmation that a Harpenden Banking Hub will go ahead is excellent news for our town.
"The decline in banking services has been hugely detrimental to residents and small businesses in Harpenden and neighbouring villages who rely heavily on the town centre.
"The town council’s resilience in its campaign to secure the banking hub has now been rewarded and will make an incredible difference."
She added: "We would particularly like to express our gratitude to local resident and industry expert Derek French, who has played a vital role in securing this essential service.
"While this is great news for Harpenden, we are also pleased that our perseverance for change could lead to the removal of blocks in other similar towns across the country."
Harpenden had seen a general decline in the number of high street banks, with Halifax, HSBC, Natwest, and Lloyds among the merchants that had closed their branches.
[From the Herts Ad of September 18, 2024]
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