Member Article

Cardtronics UK ensures access to cash in Wales

Cardtronics UK - operator of Cashzone ATMs - today officially announced the successful installation of free to use cash machines in Aberaeron, Betws-y-Coed and Llanfair Caereinion.

Cardtronics, the UK’s largest independent ATM operator, worked closely with local businesses, as well as stakeholders and bank partners, to find suitable sites for the new machines following the closing of bank branches in Wales this year. These ATMs will be crucial for the local communities, as well as surrounding towns and villages, in maintaining access to cash at a short distance.

Cardtronics’ new cash machines in Wales illustrate a UK-wide trend which sees high street banks establishing partnerships with independent ATM providers to ensure on-going access to cash for local communities, while the UK banking landscape evolves. According to industry body Payments UK, the number of independently operated cash machines in the UK exceeded those operated by banks and building societies in 2014 for the first time.

Past research has shown that continued access to cash helps businesses to keep up footfall and customer loyalty. The Value of Cash on the UK High Street survey, which was commissioned by Cardtronics UK and conducted by independent research company Populus, found that over half of UK SME high street retailers agree that services like “cashback” can by no means fully replace the benefits of having an ATM on the high street.

Tim Halford, Managing Director of Cardtronics UK and Ireland, commented: “These Welsh towns are perfect examples of independent ATM operators, banks, local communities and businesses joining forces to preserve people’s access to cash. The town centres are going to keep their 24-hour cash service, which means that residents and visitors can rely on having access to their money whenever they need to. At the same time, businesses can be certain that their customers will remain loyal to their local areas– knowing that they can still shop and get their money out at the same time.”

Glyn Davies, MP for Montgomeryshire, commented: “It is vital that we do all we can to ensure that people living and working in Llanfair Caereinion have continued access to cash. Whilst it does not fully replace the loss of the bank, Cardtronics’ new cash machine does guarantee a free, 24 hour service for the local community which is near to the centre of town and close to parking facilities.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Cardtronics .