The long-awaited community bank hub in Helston has begun recruiting staff as it prepares to open at a temporary home next month.

After seven months since it was first announced, preparations are now 'underway' for the Community Banking Hub in Helston.

With only a matter of weeks to go until it opens, hub operator Mike Grimmer shared a Facebook post asking for people who are interested in joining the team to apply. He said: “While preparations are underway, I am seeking to connect with people who share our commitment to exceptional customer service.

“We’re currently seeking enthusiastic people to join our team.”

In the post, Mike also lists the following requirements for people who may be interested in applying for a position at the hub. These include:

  • Provide friendly and efficient assistance to customers with their everyday banking needs.
  • Ensure accurate cash handling and adherence to all financial regulations.
  • Warmly welcome customers and answer their initial inquiries.
  • Direct customers to appropriate resources and staff members.

Qualifications:

(Essential)

Excellent customer service skills with a focus on building rapport and establishing customer relationships.

Proven ability to handle cash accurately and securely.

(Desirable)

Experience in a financial services or retail environment, ideally the Post Office.

Although a permanent location for the hub has yet to be revealed, the manager for Cash Access UK assured members of Helston Town Council during a previous full council meeting that the hub would be in the town centre and would typically have a six to ten-year lease.

The Cash Access manager also mentioned that once the hub was up and running it would be open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

It was first revealed that Helston would benefit from a Community Banking Hub in June 2023, after Derek Thomas MP for St Ives, West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly came under fire from residents for allegedly taking credit for campaigning for the banking hub.

At the time, the people who worked on bringing the hub to Helston said that the MP was not involved in the process.

Jean Slater, who has been involved in bringing the hub into Helston said at the time. “I have personally been involved in this matter, and want you all to know that this success is the result of many months of hard work by elected members and employees of Helston Town Council, John Warwick of the Place Shaping Board, organisations such as Citizens Advice, represented by CEO Gill Pipkin, Inclusion manager Bev Wilson and Board Member Andrea Gilbert, and local businesses through Helston Chamber of Commerce and Industry.”

Following Jean’s comments, the Packet contacted Derek Thomas, who apologised for how his comments could have been taken and stressed: “Helston’s particular success is down to the hard work of many other people to make this happen.”

The Packet has contacted Cash Access UK for a statement on the location of the banking hub in Helston.