MONEY is one of the fundamentals aspects of business and definitely of shopping, so when there is none available, that is a big problem.

Having a town with an independent shopping community of the size of Chipping Sodbury, it can cause havoc when a necessary service like the provision of cash goes down.

With NatWest having committed to a better service with the introduction of a new machine, it demonstrates a faith in the community, suggesting that the potential for a second machine in the branch might be a worthwhile investment in the near future.

But for the sake of convenience, it is down to the town and its officials to appeal to financial bodies such as banks, building societies and the like to offer their services elsewhere on the high street.

But then, given it is the 21st century, is it not worth considering that all businesses, independent or not, look towards catering for customers wishing to pay on card?

Not only would the benefits be present to the shopper, but subsequently to the organisation themselves as their increased capacity for service no longer potentially deter customers.