A NEW free-to-use cash machine on Bishopthorpe Road in York has opened today, thanks to a community request.

The hole-in-wall machine, installed by LINK, is the first "community action" ATM to arrive in York.

Working closely with Barclays and a local landlord, the brand new free-to-use machine went live today at 29 Bishopthorpe Road.

It has been installed after requests from three local residents for a free-to-use machine, stating that the popular shopping and cafe area needed one to encourage people to "spend local".

The street had two charging machines which meant residents had to travel almost 1km to a nearby Post Office to use the counter service or an alternate free-to use-machine.

A spokesperson for LINK said: "Bishopthorpe Road won The Great British High Street Award in 2015 and despite the rise in contactless and digital payments, the requests highlighted that a free machine would benefit traders and mean locals would shop locally rather than visit the city centre."

In 2019, LINK launched the Community Request an ATM scheme. With support and funding from the banks, LINK committed to protecting access to cash on every high street across the UK. To date, more than 50 free-to-use machines have been funded thanks to community requests.

Nick Quin of LINK said: “We're really delighted that we’ve been able to fund a new ATM to help the local community.

"It was clear from speaking to local residents why cash is important to them and to local businesses.

"It may feel like a small thing in a world where more people feel comfortable to tap and pay with contactless cards, but the community clearly felt that the absence of a free cash machine had a negative effect on traders.

"As we begin to look ahead and lockdown restrictions ease, we want to hear from more communities and visit more locations to see if we can hopefully help.”

Steve Mullins, of Barclays, said: “The new ATM is fantastic news for local traders and residents who shop locally and need access to free to use cash machines. Our priority is ensuring customers who rely on cash – in particular, more vulnerable customers – can still access it and also get the support they need from colleagues who are there to help them.”