HASLEMERE has a new free-to-use ATM funded by LINK.

The ATM was unveiled by South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt, alongside Haslemere’s mayor, Cllr Simon Dear, last Friday (November 5), and is in the RedH on West Street, which is home to the town’s Post Office.

Following the announcement in the summer that Haslemere’s final bank branch would close, Cllr Dear contacted LINK, which runs a community request an ATM initiative, to see if the town would be eligible for a machine.

LINK worked with NatWest to install the new ATM.

Cllr Dear said: "I don’t think anyone is happy with the closure of the last bank in town, but despite efforts from a number of people and discussions with the company, it has gone ahead anyway.

"I was pleased to meet the LINK team in the town hall in July, who recognised the continuing need for at least a cash machine in Haslemere, and it’s great they’ve been able to do a deal with the Howard family, backers of the Post Office and RedH, to open this ATM only a few days after Lloyds has closed.

"The long hours RedH is open means that most people will be able to get money out and I see this as being a real benefit to the vulnerable and less tech-savvy in the community who do not do online banking."