Lloyds has confirmed it will keep its Hedon branch open until the new Cash Hub is fully operational, following direct intervention by Graham.
The commitment ensures there will be no gap in access to banking and cash services for residents and businesses while the Cash Hub is delivered, which is currently anticipated to be towards the end of February.
Lloyds has confirmed in writing that the branch will not close before the Cash Hub is open and accessible, keeping the planned closure date under review to guarantee continuity of service.
This outcome is part of a months-long campaign by Graham, going back to September when Lloyds announced its Hedon branch, the last bank in Holderness, would close at the end of January with no alternative cash provision in place, as Graham had secured in Hornsea and Withernsea.
When the closure was announced, Graham did not accept it as inevitable that cash access would end in Hedon, given the importance of deposits and withdrawals to people in the town.
He raised the issue directly with Lloyds and pressed for a written guarantee that the branch would remain open until the cash hub was up and running, as happened in Withernsea last year.
Graham has been relentless in the battle for cash in Hedon. He challenged the initial cash access assessment and forced a further review of Hedon’s needs. He started a petition, with the help of local councillors and residents, which achieved over 2,000 signatures. He held a rally in Hedon and when the computer said no, Graham appealed. When the computer said no, Graham appealed again – this time successfully.
Graham worked with Cash Access UK to secure agreement for a staffed Cash Hub in the town. He pushed for pace, clarity, and certainty so residents and businesses were not left in limbo. He acted to make sure there would not be a single day without access to cash.
Graham has been clear throughout that while the Cash Hub is the long-term solution, keeping Lloyds open until it is ready was the immediate priority.
Graham Stuart said: “When Lloyds announced it was planning to close, I stepped in straight away because Hedon could not be left without banking services.
“I pressed Lloyds for a clear commitment in writing that the branch would stay open until the Cash Hub is ready and accessible, and they have now confirmed that.
“My priority was simple: no gap, no uncertainty, and no disruption for people who rely on cash. I will keep working with Cash Access UK to make sure the new Cash Hub works properly for the whole town.”
Cllr John Dennis said: “Graham moved quickly on this issue and stayed on it until he got a clear result.
“Making sure Lloyds stays open until the Cash Hub is ready gives real reassurance to residents and businesses, and it shows the value of having an MP who gets things done.”
