A BASE may have been found for a banking hub to be set up in Wellington as the town loses its last remaining high street bank.

As exclusively reported at the time by the Wellington Weekly, Lloyds Bank announced in March that it wanted to close its branch in Fore Street in September.

Cash Access UK announced at the same time it would immediately start searching for a building to house a banking hub as an alternative which residents could use regardless of which bank they were with.

After a so far fruitless search by Cash Access UK, town councillors have now been told a solution may have been found.

Town clerk Dave Farrow said in a report for councillors: “I have been advised that a possible location has been identified.

“Discussions are ongoing to progress this, and a full building survey is being commissioned.”

Mr Farrow said Cash Access UK leaflets setting out what a banking hub does had been distributed online and in locations across the town.

His report will be discussed by councillors at their monthly meeting on Monday (August 7) which is being held in the United Reformed Church Hall, in Fore Street.

Lloyds has since said that in the absence of a banking hub being established by September, it would keep the Wellington branch open for up to another six months.

The branch is now scheduled to close by March 25 next year at the latest.

The banking hub will be run by Post Office staff using a shared banking space with a counter and will be open from 9 am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays.