Graham Stuart MP is organising a Rally for Hedon to allow residents to publicly demonstrate their strong support for continued access to vital banking services following the bureaucratic refusal by the cash access watchdog, LINK, to approve a Banking Hub for the historic market town.
The rally aims to show Hedon’s collective demand to preserve access to banking services. The campaign has already gained significant local momentum, with Graham’s petition attracting over 930 signatures as of October 14th.
The event is supported by East Riding Councillors John Dennis, Sue Steel, and Steve Gallant, as well as Hedon Town Council. Graham has committed to fighting for Hedon to have the banking services it deserves, just as he successfully helped deliver Banking Hubs in Withernsea and Hornsea.
The need for action stems from the upcoming closure of the Lloyds branch on St Augustine's Gate, which is the last bank in Hedon. Lloyds is scheduled to shut its doors on January 28, 2026.
However, LINK, the body coordinating bank closures and assessing cash access needs, has determined Hedon be too small and will not be eligible for a Banking Hub.
LINK applies specific criteria requiring a town to have at least 70 shops and an adult population of 10,000 for a Hub. LINK determined that Hedon only has 39 shops, which is insufficient to warrant the service, even if the larger local area population (including surrounding villages like Paull, Preston, and Thorngumbald) stands at 16,679 adults—a sufficient number to support a hub.
Graham slammed the decision as a classic “computer says no” stitch-up based on bureaucratic criteria. He stressed that Hedon is a "historic, proud town in its own right" and is "not just a suburb of Hull". He has already lodged an appeal against this initial refusal.
Instead of a Banking Hub, LINK recommended that the only required action is improving accessibility at the existing Post Office, involving implementing step-free or disabled access at the Post Office, located in Occasions.
However, the suitability of the Post Office to handle the expected influx of customers remains a key concern. Business owners have expressed concern about using the Post Office to deposit their takings due to long queues at certain times.
Despite LINK’s refusal, Graham Stuart remains “absolutely determined” to fight for the banking services Hedon deserves. The campaign has now shifted focus to ensuring local access to cash and essential services through the Post Office.
Graham is working with the Sub Postmaster to discuss how they can work together to support the expected influx of customers. He is eager to ensure that Occasions is equipped to handle the increased number of customers and support businesses in depositing cash efficiently.
The MP also plans to continue raising access to cash in Parliament and questioning the current legislation, which provides legal protection for access to cash but not for face-to-face banking services.
Graham said, “I’m fighting for Hedon to have the banking services its people deserve. I refuse to accept LINK’s ‘Computer Says No’ approach to our town and I know the people of Hedon are determined to protect the most vulnerable.
“Local voices matter and while I’m doing battle for the town in meetings with LINK, the Post Office and Lloyds.
“I hope to see as many of you as possible on Saturday!”
