Residents in St Agnes, Cornwall, are preparing to hold a mock funeral for the village's only cash machine should it be removed. The Barclays machine was initially scheduled to close on 11 December, following an assessment by Link, which manages the machine.
The decision has been criticised by residents and local businesses. Cornwall Council member Pete Mitchell described local life without the machine as a "disaster," particularly affecting non-drivers, older, and disabled residents. The last census indicated that one in four St Agnes residents are aged 65 or over.
Local businesses, including Carr Butchers, rely on cash payments, especially from older customers. The Post Office and St Agnes Surgery have also objected, with the Post Office stating it would not be able to cope with increased demand, and the surgery calling it an "invaluable service" for its patients.
The machine currently displays a message stating it will "remain open for now" while Link assesses local needs, with a new closure date to be announced. Link stated it would "carefully consider all the information submitted" during its appeals process.