The removal of an ATM from the village of Shalfleet, described as a vital resource for its community, has been denounced by a parish councillor.
Shalfleet Parish Council’s Cllr Jonathan Hill said the “sudden withdrawal” of the cash machine by NCR Atleos, an American business service provider, “disregards the impact on local residents”.
In a letter to the ATM giant, the parishioner decried a “dereliction of corporate responsibility” flying in the face of “recent national efforts to protect cash access in rural areas”.
Writing on behalf of Shalfleet Parish residents and surrounding villages, Cllr Hill urged it to “immediately” reconsider the decision.
He also demanded a formal explanation for the withdrawal and lack of notice, a commitment to engage with local representatives and a temporary extension of ATM services.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:
“Some time ago, NCR Atleos, the company behind the Cash Zone ATM network, approached our village shop, urging them to install an ATM.
“They stressed the importance of coverage in this postcode to support their wider network across the Isle of Wight. After some internal reshuffling, the shop made space for the machine, and it quickly became a vital resource for our community.
Article continues below this advertisement “Last week, without warning, the shop received an abrupt email stating that the ATM would be removed within days, citing insufficient profitability as the reason. No consultation, no notice, just a decision that disregards the impact on local residents.”
He added that with bank branches closing and many residents, particularly older ones, “relying on cash access”, this sort of withdrawal “could severely disrupt daily life across rural communities”.
Liberal Democrat county councillor Nick Stuart swung behind Cllr Hill in an email to NCR Atleos, saying he was “horrified” with the removal.
The Brightstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet representative said:
“I’m grateful to Cllr Hill for drawing this to my attention. As the ward councillor for a rural area one and a half times the area of Portsmouth this is one of two rural stores and the only ATM in my entire ward.
“I am horrified that your company can look to remove this essential rural service without notice or discussion with either the shop or the community.
“I would fully endorse all of Cllr Hill’s requests and look forward to an early and positive response with a detailed explanation and justification for this action together with how you intend to meet your public service obligations.”
NCR Atleos has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Probably a simple no one used it no one really cares thing. The cost of maintaining and so on are probably higher than the 2 people that may use it once per month. Most people of all ages use other methods now and if they dont or cant other shops are not far. Cashback is done at many places as well so I dont think its the thing that will be a corporate responsibility the community will die thing
The moment cash is removed from society
and digital ID’s are mandated, that will be the time
to worry.
It’s happened in China and it ain’t good.
If everyone uses cards, then cashback will stop, and they won’t be able to give change either!
The European central Bank has recently advised that some cash be kept at home to help resilience of the banking system when it goes down. In those circumstances cash is king.
A parish councillor demands, quick reality check, you have no power. no political influence, Its a commercial decision, move on to more inportant things in the parish like organising your next coffee morning when two people turn up and thats only because the coffee is free.
Why should NCR Alteos subsidise the machine?
A parish councillor demands!
very unusual to see a parish councillor on a power trip,said no one,ever,bet he is not even an islander,as most arent!
Sign of the times I’m afraid, you only have 4 ATM’s covering all of Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard and not a physical Bank Branch in site and look how the population of the Cowes area grows with visitors in the summer / sailing season.