A NEW cash machine has been installed at a garage in Binfield.
The free-to-use machine was officially opened this morning by members of the LINK cash machine network and the Nike family.
It replaces the old cash machine that charged customers and, LINK says, complements the new convenience store within the Shell Lightfoots garage, close to the Coppid Beech Hotel off John Nike Way.
The garage is one of more than 2,700 areas across the country 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’s head of financial inclusion, Nick Quin, said: “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.
“There’s a lot of footfall coming into the new convenience store and serving the growing residential area nearby.
“No community should be forced to pay to access cash.
“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.”
And Chris Nike, who owns the Shell Lightfoots garage, was delighted that the new machine is free to use.
He said: ‘LINK were key in the negotiations with our cash machine provider, ensuring that customers at the store could withdraw cash for free.
“We are extremely grateful to LINK for enabling us to provide this essential service.”
LINK says it 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.
Marc Terry, international managing director for Cardtronics, explained: “We are delighted to be able to participate in the LINK Financial Inclusion Programme. This is the second of what I hope will be a significant number of Direct Commission ATMs that will help to protect access to cash for UK citizens up and down the country.”
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/
