Co-operative opens bank in food store

The move is part of a pilot scheme which will see five banks open in existing Co-op shops this year.

The mutual is due to open in Horbury in West Yorkshire after the last bank in the town of 9,000 people closed last year.

Co-op banks have also opened in stores in Holmfirth and in Marple in Cheshire and more are set to follow in Locks Heath in Hampshire and Cranbrook in Kent as part of an 18-month trial.

Several hundred instore banks could be rolled out if the scheme is successful.

Neville Richardson, chief executive of The Co-operative Bank, said: “While other banks are being forced to close branches and communities are being left without banking facilities, we are making the positive step to open new ones. We’re committed to growing our high street presence to give customers a compelling alternative to the ‘Big Five’.”

The bank will offer a full range of retail and banking services.