Lack of cash in Cowes: 'an absolute disgrace'

From ATMmarketplace.com

The Isle of Wight seems to be the latest spot in the United Kingdom to find itself short of cash access as banks trim their branches in a bid to save on operating costs.

Two different reports from the town of Cowes addressed the problem. In a May 26 letter to the editor of the Isle of Wight County Press, one resident lamented its potential negative effect on the Cowes Week regatta, a major annual tourist attraction for the isle since 1826:

I was in Cowes High Street recently, and a man asked where could he get some cash, as there were no banks, no post office and no cash machine working.

What an absolute disgrace.

For many, many years we on the [Isle of Wight] have enjoyed Cowes Week, as have the thousands of visitors.

It brings in vast amounts of money to the IW but, make no mistake about it, Cowes Week will cease if this continues.

However, another publication, the Island Echo, reported that help was on the way in the form of a free-to-use ATM:

Next week the new machine will be arriving at The Vectis Tavern, which has stepped in to help the thousands of visitors and locals alike who visit the town throughout the year.

The decision to install a cash machine was taken following the closure of the last bank in the town, Lloyds.