Progress on Ebrington Square bank machine welcomed

The Executive Office has confirmed that it is exploring options to install a cash machine facility in Derry's Ebrington Square site.

The Executive Office is responsible for the regeneration of Ebrington Square.

Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy welcomed the confirmation after receiving written confirmation from the Executive Office.

The Foyle MLA said: “Earlier this month I wrote to the Executive Office with a request that they consider options for a cash machine facility at the Ebrington site in Derry.

“It is a key economic and social location in our city. It’s brilliant to see the number of businesses including cafes and restaurants which have opened there in recent years.

“Increasing accessibility to Ebrington and the businesses on the site is imperative. Ebrington Square belongs to all the people of our city and therefore everyone should have equal access including the elderly and those with least access to contactless and card only facilities. 

“In a written response to my request, the Executive Office confirmed that officials have been asked to engage with tenants and to explore the option of providing a cash machine.

“This is a step in the right direction in hopefully getting a facility on this site. I speak to many small businesses in the city centre on a daily basis and they are getting hit hard with bank charges for using card facilities. It is eating into already squeezed profit margins so more cash-paying customers could make a real difference to many businesses."