Poll: Should small shops get council help to install free cash machines?
A Government minister has called for councils to encourage shops to install free cash machines by offering business rate discounts. What do you think?
Local Government Minister Penny Mordaunt said that small shops often struggle with local rates payable on cash machines, so giving them an incentive to install free machines would help their businesses and consumers facing fees at the same time.
The suggestion was welcomed by the Association of Convenience Stores, which said half of local stores now contained an ATM.
Ms Mordaunt said: "People should not have to pay through the nose to access their cash. Free-to-use cash machines are a vital service that we are asking councils to take seriously.
"Councils can reduce rates for providers that commit to introduce new cash machines into areas, or remove charges on existing machines.
"We want councils to use their local business rates discount powers to ensure better access to cash machines in all areas and on our high streets."
