THE Consumer Council has confirmed they have lodged an appeal on the decision to not grant a banking hub for the Lisnaskea area.
The second biggest town in Fermanagh, Lisnaskea has been without a bank for over a year now, after its last one – Ulster Bank – closed down last March.
There have since been calls for a banking hub to be established in the town to provide 24 hour access to cash for both residents and businesses.
In March the Council passed a motion from Cllr Eddie Roofe acknowledging the recent ‘Access to Cash’ review by the Financial Conduct Authority.
It called for the Council to write to the body responsible for banking hubs, LINK, to highlight “the damage to the wider East Fermanagh area that the closure of the final bank in the area has caused.”
However, LINK decided not to grant Lisnaskea either a banking hub or a 24 hour ATM which the Consumer Council has now lodged an appeal against this decision.
DUP Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine, pictured left, has welcomed the appeal.
“Banking services have continued to be stripped out of our rural towns. This has had a huge impact upon people and businesses, particularly in rural areas where customers have to then travel further for a face-to-face service,” she said.
“During times when cyber crime is on the rise and indeed where there is a lack of public transport, it is important that everyone has ease of access to banking services.”
Deborah highlighted how important it is to have banking facilities in Lisnaskea.
“Lisnaskea is a border town which has many businesses and cross border trade. Not least it has tourism trade resulting from the Share Centre. The need for banking services is higher as a result of this. I have been very frustrated that to date this has not been taken into consideration by LINK, who have been involved in considerations to create a banking hub in the area,” Deborah added.
“I have raised this issue a number of times in the Assembly Chamber and had a series of meetings with banks, LINK, Access to Cash UK and the Consumer Council.
“I am pleased that the Consumer Council have recognised the unique position that Lisnaskea finds itself in and that they are challenging the decision not to grant a banking hub in Lisnaskea. I will be continuing to make the case for a banking hub in Lisnaskea and will be watching careful to see the outcome of this appeal.”