Banking Hub Update: I’ve Demanded a Full Reassessment from LINK

Over the past year, one of the issues raised with me again and again has been the lack of banking services in Bitterne. With the closure of our local bank branches, residents and businesses now face unnecessary journeys into the city centre just to complete simple everyday tasks.

At the end of last year, I launched my Bring Banking Back to Bitterne campaign after Lloyds and Halifax announced the closure of their Bitterne branches. Since then, hundreds of residents have joined the campaign, signed the petition, and shared their experiences of how the loss of banking services is affecting them.

That is why I have now formally asked LINK to carry out a full reassessment of Bitterne for a Banking Hub. This reassessment is possible because more than a year has passed since the previous review, and, crucially, the branches LINK described as “planned for closure” have now actually closed.

Why I’ve challenged LINK’s previous decision

LINK’s original assessment was based on a narrow set of criteria, including the presence of a Post Office, a single ATM, and Bitterne’s proximity to the city centre. It simply didn’t reflect how people here use banking services, nor the reality of navigating busy roads, unreliable buses, and accessibility barriers to get into town.

I’ve made it very clear to LINK that the previous assessment was inadequate, and that the next one must be far more comprehensive.

I have asked LINK to ensure the reassessment:

• Is carried out in person, with assessors visiting Bitterne

• Includes West End Road as well as the Precinct to count Businesses

• Takes account of the wider communities that bank in Bitterne, not just the immediate Precinct area

• Recognises the need for full banking services, not only access to cash

• Considers the impact on older residents, carers, people with mobility issues, and local traders

• Reflects the fact that many residents previously travelled to Hedge End after the Bitterne closures, and those branches are now closing too, further reducing options

• Acknowledges comparisons to places like Totton, which has been approved for a hub despite being very similar to Bitterne in size, character and distance to the nearest city centre

Bitterne is a major district centre serving thousands of people. It is unacceptable for it to be treated as though residents can simply “pop into city centre”.

Resident voices are strengthening our case

One of the strongest elements of this campaign has come from residents themselves. Hundreds have signed the petition, and many have independently submitted Access to Cash requests to LINK.

Just this week, a resident contacted me to say LINK is already “looking into” their request, a promising indication that pressure is building.

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to do this. When residents take action, it adds real weight to the case I’m making on behalf of our community and shows this is not just a political issue, it’s a practical, daily concern for many.

Next steps: pressing LINK and the Government

I will continue to push LINK and Cash Access UK to conduct a proper, on-the-ground assessment of Bitterne. I have invited them to visit the area to understand how central these services are to local people.

In addition, I will be meeting the Minister responsible for banking hubs next month to make the case directly at Government level. Restoring banking access in communities like ours must be a priority, and I will ensure Bitterne’s voice is heard.

Once LINK completes the reassessment, I will update all petition signatories and publish the outcome here on my website.

This is about fairness for our community. Other areas are securing Banking Hubs, and Bitterne should not be left behind. I will keep pushing until we restore the services local people need and deserve.