A new free to use ATM has today opened in the village store of Kirkoswald, outside Penrith. Supported by LINK, the UK’s main ATM cash machine network, the ATM replaces a machine that closed earlier this year.
The Cumbrian site is one of over 2,700 areas across the UK where cash access is protected by LINK. This means that in the event of an ATM being removed or switching to charging, LINK works with the local community to reinstall a free-to-use machine.
LINK is determined to protect free access to cash for every high street in the UK, and recently announced that local communities will now be able to apply through their MP, local council, or request help directly from LINK for support for free access to cash. For requests for a free-to-use cash machine, if it meets the criteria which includes distance to nearest free ATM, availability of a Post Office, site security and that there is a suitable location, LINK will fund the new ATM directly. The new website can be found at https://www.link.co.uk/consumers/request-access-to-cash/.
LINK’s Head of Financial Inclusion, Nick Quin: “Free cash access remains vital for communities and high streets across the country, which is why we’re delighted to see this machine up and running. We know that a lack of access to cash affects local businesses and travelling to the nearest town is not the easiest, particularly in rural communities.
“We want to hear from more communities that have cash access issues, because communities are best placed to identify issues. Any enquiries can be made via our new request website.”
The ATM is located at Ravensbridge Stores, Kirkoswald. Penrith CA10 1DQ.