Otley Town Council in partnership with The Otley Courthouse and the Otley Film Society are showing Saving Private Ryan on the 6th of June 2024 at 7pm and the Longest Day on the 6th of June at 2pm.

Otley Town Council accepted the Biodiversity Report done by local company Haycock & Jay at a recent Council meeting.

Otley Town Councillors share the concerns about the quality of the recent works to Mercury Row. We are aware that City Councillors have expressed their concerns directly to the Highways team and arranged for the Director of Highways to visit the site and discuss the defects.

Following this meeting, Highways agreed that the work is not of the standard required. They are to call back the contractor to undertake remedial works to fulfil the original specification for the resurfacing of Mercury Row.

We understand that the works were undertaken by a sub-contractor, not Leeds City Council. No payment has been made for this work and will not be made until it has been completed to a satisfactory condition

For up to date information on roadworks and closures follow the link below.

Roadworks and closures (leeds.gov.uk)

Otley undertakes visitor surveys and benchmarking studies each year in order to gauge the town’s progress and performance in terms of attracting visitors to visit our historic market town. This work is used to inform the town’s marketing and social media campaigns and projects to improve the visitor experience. The latest town benchmarking report undertaken January 2024 can be read below.

Cash Access UK, the organisation set up to protect nationwide access to cash, has confirmed today that the new Banking Hub in Otley will be located on Kirkgate.

The Hub, when it opens, will offer a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions, Monday to Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm.  It will also offer a Community Banker service where customers can talk to their own bank about more complicated issues on the day their bank is in the Hub. Community Bankers will work on rotation, with a different bank available on each day of the week:  

Monday: Barclays

Tuesday: Halifax 

Wednesday: HSBC (am), Santander (pm)

Thursday: NatWest

Friday: Virgin Money

Finding the right location for a Banking Hub that is convenient, accessible and works for everyone often takes time, so Cash Access UK is delighted to have been able to secure convenient premises in the heart of the community. This development is a significant step forward in bringing a Banking Hub to Otley.

The Hub will open in early 2024 and the team at Cash Access UK are now working hard to fit out the new premises and will update the community on progress and an opening date as soon as they can. The Otley Banking Hub page on the Cash Access UK website will provide updates as works progress.  

The Hub was recommended by LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, following the announcement of the closure of Otley’s last remaining bank branch.

Gareth Oakley, CEO at Cash Access UK: “We are happy to announce that we have secured a location for our Otley Banking Hub. It will play an important role in maintaining access to cash and banking services for the community. We will be sure to keep local residents and businesses updated on our progress.” 

Joe Woollin, Digital Inclusion Development Worker, Otley Action for Older People: “Otley’s Banking Hub represents a recognition of the enduring need for face-to-face banking and investment in our highstreets. Although digital and online banking services are widely adopted, we must not neglect those who rely on non-digital means of managing their finances. Without the Banking Hub, many older and vulnerable people would be robbed of this independence. We look forward to Otley’s Banking Hub serving as an accessible alternative to digital banking and becoming an established community asset.”

Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds North West: “I am pleased to hear that Cash Access UK has identified a suitable property for a banking hub in Otley, West Yorkshire. This is good news for the local community and a positive step towards ensuring accessible financial services for residents. 

The establishment of a banking hub addresses the needs of my constituents who rely on convenient access to banking facilities.  

I look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have on the community, providing essential services and contributing to the overall prosperity of Otley.  

It is encouraging that Cash Access UK have recognised the importance of local banking services in Otley by retaining some face-to-face services that have been lost since the branch closures of banks.”

Cllr Richard Hughes, Chairman, Otley Town Council:“It is pleasing that Otley has been chosen as a location for an early Banking Hub. Town Councillors are delighted that suitable, prominent premises have been found and that an opening early in 2024 is being planned for. We know that many Otley residents and businesses need cash access. With the closure of all our bank branches, this facility is much needed to complement the services offered by the Post Office.”

If you would like to know more about the Banking Hubs, please contact: [email protected].