North West is worst hit by cashline cuts
GLASGOW’S North West has seen the highest reduction in free- to- use cash machines in Scotland through the Covid- 19 pandemic, data shows.
The closure of free ATMs across the country has resulted in a severe drop- off in cash use, with Glasgow Central’s cash usage dropping by 80%.
Analysis of LINK data by Cardtronics, the UK’s largest ATM operator, found Scotland has seen one of the most severe declines in free access to cash across the UK, between July 2018 and February 2020.
A poll by YouGov found that 87% of Scots believe the government should guarantee free access to cash, with an overwhelming majority saying banks should be the ones to pay for free access to cash through ATMs.
They’ve released a map which reveals the worst- hit constituencies in Scotland – with dark green indicating an 11%+ increase and dark red representing a 21%+ decrease.
According to Cardtronics, the worst- hit constituencies in Scotland are:
•G•asgow North West: 35% reduction in free- to- use / - 51% cash use in lockdown.
•G•asgow North: 33% reduction in free- to- use / - 67% cash use in lockdown.
•G•asgow East: 28% reduction in free- to- use / - 46% cash use in lockdown.
•Rutherg•e■ and Hamilton West: 24% reduction in free- to- use / - 47% cash use in lockdown.
•Motherwe•• and Wishaw: 23% reduction in free- to- use / - 50% cash use in lockdown.
•G•asgow and South West: 23% reduction in free- to- use / - 49% cash use in lockdown.
Marc Terry, International Managing Director of Cardtronics, said: “Scotland has lost more free ATMs than almost any other part of the UK, and the pandemic has exacerbated this trend further with the area seeing a drastic reduction in cash use during lockdown.
“Local businesses that rely on cash have been suffering hugely at this time, and their customers need free access cash if the economy is to return to growth.
“So far, our calls have been ignored, but the time has come for LINK and the banks to work with the ATM operators to repair our failing cash infrastructure. 85% of consumers agree with us that the government should guarantee free access to cash.”
Local businesses have been suffering