GUESTS including Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq got a sneak preview of the pioneering new banking hub for Acton.

When it opens in June, it is hoped it will transform both the High Street and The Oaks shopping centre.

The principle of banking hubs is for a shared space operated by all the big players in areas where the last bank in town has closed.

Acton will be the first in London and will offer a counter service, operated by the Post Office, where customers of the major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions, Monday to Friday.

Customers can also talk to their own bank about more complicated issues.

Community bankers will work on rotation, with a different provider available on each day of the week. In Acton, this will be:

Monday - NatWest

Tuesday - Barclays

Wednesday - Lloyds

Thursday - Nationwide

Friday - Santander

Raghu Narula, MD of Customer Engagement at NatWest, who was also shown round, said: “Cash remains an important part of the service we offer to customers and communities across the UK.”

Acton will be the first hub to open in a busy city location.

Dr Huq said: “The level of curiosity from the passing public during the time we were there underlines just what a much-needed service this is.

“When, one by one, bank branches withdrew from Acton, the ghost premises left behind made for a sad site.

“I’m hoping the bank hub spells a revival of Acton, which is clearly on the up.”