After Alex Easton MLA, highlighted the area as having little or no free access to cash, NoteMachine has installed a new 24-hour access, free-to-use ATM at Today’s Local, Main Street, Millisle, with the support of the LINK Financial Inclusion Programme. The Financial Inclusion Programme was set up in 2006 to improve access to free cash in the UK by subsidising free-to-use ATMs in areas which need better access to cash.
Alex Easton MLA who originally identified the location commented: “This is fantastic news for the residents of Millisle who had for far too long lacked a free to use public hole in the wall ATM. This will make such a difference for the local businesses in Millisle as I believe it will also attract trade as people will want to shop more in the village, it also means residents do not have to drive all the way to other towns to get their money. I would like to thank LINK and NoteMachine who I met with over a year ago on this issue, also a big thank you to Millisle District Community Association (Joe Scott, Tommy Beck) and the owner of the shop “Today's Local” for working on this with all of us in partnership to help provide this much needed ATM for the residents of Millisle.”
Philippa McKeown-Brown, Consumer Council NI, Head of Consumer Empowerment and Protection said: “The Consumer Council is delighted to be involved in a project that responds to the needs of people in Millisle. People need access to their cash when they want it and not be charged for the privilege. We will continue to work with LINK, banks, cash machine operators and local political representatives to ensure that consumers across Northern Ireland have access to free to use cash machines.”
Nigel Constable, Managing Director of NoteMachine adds:“ NoteMachine is delighted that it has been possible to install a free to use ATM in Millisle to provide a valuable consumer service to the local community, and thanks to everyone who has helped to achieve this."
John Howells, LINK CEO said: “This latest cash machine in Millisle adds to the growing list of those already introduced across the country as a direct result of the ATM industry pulling together to improve access to cash for consumers. LINK has a very clear consumer remit and free access to cash features highly on that agenda and we’ve put in place a programme that enables us to listen and take action where action is needed to improve customers’ access to cash.”
