I was alerted, by letters and articles in the local paper, to the growing concern in Knutsford about the steady disappearance of the banking branches, many of which had been in the town for generations. I was appalled that a town the size and status of Knutsford had got to the point where it had no actual bank branch; only a building society and the Post Office. My letter on the subject was published by the local paper, and I received a few responses, backing this campaign. From earlier research, I had learnt that there was a national programme for establishing what are called “banking hubs” in towns facing the same situation as Knutsford, so I submitted a bid, on the town’s behalf, to the organisation which makes the recommendations about ‘who’s next’ for a banking hub. That submission was turned down, due to the criteria currently being used, but I, and a Lib Dem colleague from another town facing similar problems, had a helpful Teams call with the decision-makers themselves, at which we pressed the case for Knutsford, especially to help small businesses, which need local, pay-in facilities. Importantly, they said that the national criteria are being consulted-upon, so I registered the Lib Dem ideas to that process. Now, we await the publication of the new criteria, and the Lib Dems will be leading a town-wide bid to get a banking hub set up for the people and businesses in Knutsford.