Prosper Frome are hosting their first drop-in 'Money Matters' Café at the Town Hall this Thursday, 7th September from 2pm-4pm.

Kicking off the café, there will be a talk on scam prevention at 3:30pm.

All are welcome to attend. More information here: http://tinyurl.com/mr8453sd

They say : The recent closure of Barclays Bank on August 23rd highlights the very real banking challenges being faced by the Frome community. Barclays being the third Bank to leave this year following HSBC and Nat West. Prosper Frome has been diligently working to find innovative solutions to the banking vacuum in the town. It has been researching the impact that the closures are having on vulnerable residents, business and the one remaining Post Office at Portway. Recognising the critical role that accessible banking services play in the community, Prosper Frome is advocating for a banking hub in Frome 

Banking hubs are a fairly new concept where both traditional banking services and the local Post Office unite under one roof. This collaborative approach would not only ensure easy access to essential financial services but also pave the way for the implementation of a diverse range of community finance initiatives that could be integrated into a hub. Only 8 hubs have been opened across the country so far and 40 more are in the works but it is a slow process. 

Navigating the path to this goal has proven challenging. Despite two applications to LINK, the organisation responsible for designating banking hubs, Prosper Frome has been met with disappointment. The eligibility criteria currently prioritise the number of ATMs in a town, of which it has many, in the supermarkets, Co-ops etc leaving Frome ineligible.