28th October 2026
Freddie van Mierlo, Thame’s MP has said he is ‘livid’ at the decision by LINK not to recommend a banking hub for Thame yet again. The decision comes following a joint request to LINK by Freddie van Mierlo and Thame Town Council to assess Thame for a hub.
On learning the outcome of the assessment, Freddie van Mierlo, said,
“I’m incredibly frustrated by this. At an initial meeting with LINK it was suggested assessors would come to Thame and that the town council and I could show them around. Instead, what we’ve had is a half-hearted desk top exercise that fails to understand the needs and character of the town”
Freddie has since demanded answers from LINK as to why they failed to do a physical in-person assessment of Thame. The number of cash businesses in a settlement is crucial for determining eligibility for a hub. Freddie has therefore also requested the list of local cash businesses LINK collected.
“We need to know if they’ve got their sums right”, said Freddie. “Local people know Thame the best and we need to be in a position to correct the record and make the case for a banking hub”
Freddie van Mierlo has recently seen first-hand the completion and set-up of the Henley Banking Hub, and witnessed the importance of this and delight this has caused for the local community.
“I’m delighted for Henley, but I just cannot understand why Thame is facing such barriers. The two towns are very similar in size and needs”
A Banking Hub in Thame would improve cash access and banking services for locals, and improve the access to cash and use of cash for local businesses in Thame. Thame Town Council and Freddie met on 28th October to discuss challenging the decision.
"Alongside the Town Council, I continue to have conversations with LINK about the possibility of improving Thame’s banking services, and look forward to continuing to work closely with the council on the issues that matter to the local community."
