Minted in history: Cash Access UK opens 200th banking hub

Published on 18 December 2025

We have reached a major national milestone with the official opening of our 200th banking hub, located in the heart of Billericay town centre in the former Lloyds Bank building.

The Billericay Banking Hub was recommended following the closure of the town’s final bank branch, ensuring the community continues to have access to essential, face-to-face banking services. Like other banking hubs across the UK, it offers a counter service operated by the Post Office, allowing customers of all major banks to carry out everyday cash transactions, including cash withdrawals, deposits and balance enquiries, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

The hub also provides access to a Community Banker service, giving customers the opportunity to speak directly with their own bank about more complex matters on the day their bank is in the hub.

To mark the opening of this milestone, visitors can explore a unique display celebrating Britain’s rich coinage history — recreated entirely in chocolate. The collection spans centuries, from pre-Roman slaters and a Roman Denarius, through to a Medieval Henry VI Noble, coins featuring King Henry VIII and Queen Victoria, and a more modern two-shilling piece, all of which historically circulated in Essex.

The chocolate coins were handcrafted by a chocolatier using over 15kg of milk chocolate, with bronze, copper, gold lustre dust and edible silver spray used to highlight intricate detailing. Each coin was created using bespoke 3D moulds, with the full collection taking around 80 hours to design and produce. Alongside the display, a limited number of standard-sized chocolate coins are being given out to members of the public visiting the hub, while six giant coins feature in a short video demonstrating the process of ‘minting’ a chocolate coin.

The celebration coincides with new research we’ve carried out, highlighting the ongoing importance of cash in an increasingly digital society. A poll of 2,000 UK adults found that 47% say nothing compares to the excitement of opening a Christmas card and finding cash inside, while 46% feel more in control of their spending when using cash. Despite the rise of digital payments, more than a third of respondents said they feel more connected to loved ones when gifting physical cash, and 40% are more likely to save cash gifts.

Reaching our 200th banking hub is a huge achievement and shows the strength of industry collaboration to keep cash and banking services accessible. These hubs are proving extremely popular, which demonstrates that face-to-face banking remains vital for millions of individuals and businesses across the UK, even as digital banking grows. We’re proud to bring this service to Billericay and will continue delivering new services across the country.
Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK
This research shows that while digital payments play a huge part in modern life, the emotional value of giving and receiving cash, especially at Christmas, remains incredibly strong. Over half (52%) of those we polled said that cash at Christmas makes them feel nostalgic, a third (32%) even remember receiving a card with coins taped inside. We’re here to make sure that access to cash remains a choice for everyone and we’re proud to celebrate this Christmas tradition with the launch of our 200th banking hub in Billericay.”
Alex Conaway, Chief Marketing Officer at Cash Access UK

The opening in Billericay comes alongside continued growth in cash services nationwide. More than 130 deposit services are now live across the UK, including multi-bank deposit ATMs, enhanced Post Offices with dedicated banking counters, and cash hubs providing assisted cash services.

Banking hubs and deposit services are delivered by Cash Access UK in communities recommended by LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, following an independent assessment of local need. To date, 247 banking hubs have been recommended, with further openings planned in the coming months.

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