Chepstow has seen the official opening of the UK's 250th banking hub today, 18 September 2026. Treasury Minister Lucy Rigby officially opened the new facility, which aims to protect access to cash and face-to-face banking services for thousands of local residents and over 100 businesses.
The opening follows the announced closure of Chepstow’s last remaining bank branch next month. Without the hub, residents would have faced an eight-mile journey to Lydney for the nearest branch, a trip that could take around 30 minutes by public transport and cost £4.
The new hub provides services for depositing and withdrawing cash, depositing cheques, and access to community bankers. It also features an external free-to-use ATM for 24-hour cash access. Banking hubs are owned by Cash Access UK, a not-for-profit organisation, and provide shared cash and banking services in communities where traditional bank branches have closed.
This initiative is part of a wider effort to improve banking access across the UK, aligning with a manifesto commitment to deliver at least 350 banking hubs by the end of this parliament. Other Welsh towns, including Holyhead, Prestatyn, and Porthcawl, have also seen banking hubs open.