Plans have been submitted to transform a vacant Cowes High Street unit – formerly home to Poundland – into a permanent Banking Hub.
The application to the Isle of Wight Council seeks permission to convert 6 High Street into a shared banking hub, more than a year after it was first announced that Cowes would host the Isle of Wight’s first such facility.
In the meantime, a temporary Banking Hub has been open in East Cowes to help restore access to cash and basic banking services.
The Cowes premises are currently vacant, having previously operated as a Poundland store and, before that, Woolworths.
Submitted plans show a full shopfront replacement, alongside the installation of a new external ATM.
The entrance door is to be moved forward to align with the shopfront windows, while the existing external ramp – described as non-compliant – will be removed and replaced with an internal ramp to improve accessibility.
New signage is also proposed, including illuminated ‘Banking Hub’ lettering and a Post Office logo, as well as a projecting sign and various notices on the windows and entrance door.
Internally, the unit will undergo a full fit-out to create the banking hub, including new partitions, ceilings and fixtures .
If approved, the permanent hub would provide access to cash, deposits and basic banking services for residents and businesses in Cowes and the surrounding area.
Cash is King
Much needed in the town as we only have one single ATM that invariably is out of order / cash, also the ability for businesses to bank their takings and obtain cash. If it is having a ‘Post Office Logo’ will it in fact perform as a Post Office and take a bit of pressure off the one remaining counter at Mill Hill Rd?