A beloved local postman is championing a campaign to bring vital banking services back to his area after almost ten years without any.
Paul Coughlan has served in Post Offices across Greater Manchester for four decades. He says the disappearance of financial services in places like Royton, where he was born, is 'devastating' for local people - and he's now advocating for the introduction of a 'bank hub' in Royton.
By having different banks operate on various days, the hub aims to provide locals with much-needed banking access.
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Paul said: "Royton is a great village, with great people. But what we really need is a banking hub. It's imperative. There's more and more banks closing down in Oldham, and their opening times are getting more and more ridiculous.
"It's just too difficult for some people, especially the elderly, to get on a bus and leave their local community. It would be so wonderful to be able to use services locally."
Paul took on Royton's post office eight years ago and turned it from a 'dilapidated shop to a smashing branch', His commitment to the banking hub cause has seen him amass significant local support, with over 140 signatures collected for a petition to request a bank hub, inching closer to the goal of 200.
Before its banking drought, Royton was home to several high street banks—Lloyd's being the final bank to shut its doors in 2018.
The closure of local bank branches has left many residents, particularly the elderly and those with limited mobility, feeling abandoned. The closest alternatives are in Oldham town centre, which have also seen a reduction in services or operating hours.
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Marge, an 83 year old from Royton, previously told the Manchester Evening News about the significance of having access to a physical bank: "I don't do internet," she explained, recounting her experiences with online scams that targeted her while attempting to use digital financial services.
"They've only taken small amounts luckily, and I got them back from the bank each time. But I feel guilty that it keeps happening to me. I feel like it's my fault.
"I want to be able to go into a bank and talk to real people, so things don't go wrong."
Royton postman Paul has joined forces with Councillor Lewis Quigg to drum up support for a banking hub.
Councillor Quigg called on the community to participate in an online survey through a social media appeal: "Bring banking services back to Royton! Paul Coughlan the Postmaster, his team at Royton Post Office and myself are collecting as many surveys as possible to get a review of banking services in Royton with the aim of bringing a banking hub to Royton."