RESIDENTS, businesses and visitors in Corbridge could benefit from a new 24-hour cash machine to fill the gap in services left by the closure of the village’s two banks.

A planning application has been submitted for the installation of a cash machine outside of the Post Office in the village.

The application has been welcomed after the only 24-hour cash machine in Corbridge was lost as a result of the closure of Barclays bank in the Market Place in November.

This followed the closure of the Lloyds bank in Corbridge in March last year.

While a cash machine is still accessible within the Co-op, it is only available during store opening hours. After county councillor for Corbridge Nick Oliver emphasised the importance of a 24-hour cashpoint in the village, Barclays said last year it was looking to relocate the facility.

Now the planning application has been submitted on behalf of Sigma ATM Group, after the owner of Corbridge Post Office Karen Harkess volunteered to work with Barclays and host the facility outside of the Post Office premises on Princes Street.

Coun. Nick Oliver said: “If it gets planning permission I am sure we will all be absolutely delighted.

“Really quite a lot of businesses in the village depend on tourism and a cashpoint is a really important facility for people visiting, as well as for residents.

“I’m delighted that Karen and Barclays are working together on this.”

Karen said: “It’s a very important opportunity for us to be able to offer this service – it will hopefully lead to increased footfall to the paper shop and Post Office and help save our business.

“We have lost a number of customers to the big supermarkets and it’s time we fought back.

“We are hoping that the availability of a 24-hour cash machine will encourage more people to spend their money locally and stem the flow of trade away from the village.”

The application has received support from Corbridge Parish Council.