Cash Generator and No1 Currency fill the service gap

It’s been four months since the Royal Mail announced the closure of 44 of its Post Offices and Bureau de Change outlets across Scotland, as it continues to downsize its retail network.

The closure of Post Offices throughout Scotland and the UK has left many small towns and rural communities feeling cut off and isolated from local shops and services which often nurture and maintain a sense of community spirit as well as providing valuable amenities to local residents.

The loss of these community services has left a huge gap for those who relied on the Post Office for their pensions, banking, cheque cashing and foreign currency exchanges and transfers. As a result alternative financial services such as Cash Generator and No1 Currency have seen an increase in demand for their services.

Realising the vial part that these community services play for rural and small town residents, Cash Generator and No1 Currency have been working together to ensure that their services are readily available to all.

Friday saw the Greenock branch of Cash Generator located on West Blackhall Street opening a new No1 Currency Bureau de Change service. Greenock Cash Generator Manager, Alan Murdoch said, “Since the closure of some Post Offices we have seen an increase in the number of people using our Financial Services. Along with No1 Currency we are able to provide our customers with the full financial solution as well as offering the best currency exchange rates on the high street.”

Managing Director of No1 Currency, Mark McElney, said, “We are the only foreign exchange service to use a unique Bureau de Change model. By working with Cash Generator branches we are able reduce expenditures on overheads and set up costs. We pass this saving onto our customers.”

Established in 1996 with just 2 currency exchange outlets, Edinburgh-based No1 Currency has seen rapid and continued growth in Scotland and the North of England, with further expansions intended to continue into 2009.

The launch of the new Greenock outlet comes at a time when there is much uncertainty in the Scottish holiday market, yet despite the current economic climate, Cash Generator and No1 Currency have gone from strength to strength.

“The downturn in the economy has not stopped holiday makers from booking weekend breaks and short getaways, however value for money has never been so imperative,” said Mark McElney, “This new Bureau de Change outlet is testament to the continuing expansion and market demand for our cost effective currency exchange services.”

“With our unique business model, 0% commission and the most competitive exchange rates in the marketplace, we continue to offer better rates than our competitors. By using this new currency exchange service at Cash Generator our customers are able to make their holiday money and currency transfers stretch that little bit further.”

It seems that with the use of travellers’ cheques diminishing, and banks continuing to offer poor exchange rates alongside high commission fees as well as the soaring charges to make withdrawals from overseas ATMs, getting cash before you go is an essential item on the holiday check list.

No.1 Currency operates 300 Bureau de Change outlets in through the UK, from Inverness to the Brighton. These outlets can be found in all major cities and towns, to find your nearest branch please visit no1currency.com/bureau-de-change/store-loc.asp