More than 7,000 ATMs have disappeared in the UK over the past three years, new data shows.

As bank branches continue to close and the future of 115 postal branches is under review, some consumers may soon have to look for other ways to access their money.

Read on to find out what’s being done to help the millions of people who rely on cash and for advice on where you can withdraw cash.

One in seven ATMs has closed since 2021

Constituency data from Link, the UK’s largest ATM provider, shows the total number of all ATMs fell from 53,791 in June 2021 to 46,097 in June 2024 , a drop of 14%. This includes free and paid ATMs, but not teller terminals.

The number of fee-based ATMs, where fees are charged to withdraw money, fell by 22%. Link’s latest annual report suggests that the popularity of free cash initiatives has reduced the need for pay-to-play machines.

Free ATMs have decreased by 12% since 2021. By 2032, Link predicts the number of free ATMs could fall to 20,000 as more people turn to digital payment.

• Learn more: Yorkshire has the worst access to bank branches in the country

Banks close 50 branches per month

Banks and building societies have closed 6,161 branches since January 2015, at a rate of around 53 per month.

This represents 62% of the total number of agencies opened at the start of 2015, which year? started tracking closures.

NatWest Group, which includes NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank, has closed 1,409 branches – the most of any banking group. Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, has closed 1,216 sites.

Barclays is the individual bank that has reduced its network the most, closing 1,227 branches.

• Learn more: Is your local bank branch closing?

Post Office branches under study

Many consumers rely on Post Office branches to withdraw and deposit cash and make balance inquiries. Most banks will also allow you to deposit checks at the Post Office.

This means people can still access essential services even if their local bank branch is closed. In July this year, the Post Office processed a record amount of cash: £3.8 billion in deposits and withdrawals.

However, the Post Office recently announced it was reviewing the future of its 115 directly-run Crown Post Offices.

Directly managed agencies, which represent 1% of the British network, are made up of Post Office employees. The remaining 99% of branches are operated by franchise partners or subpostmasters who are independent business owners.

Which? It appears the Post Office hopes to franchise the majority of branches under review rather than close them.

A Post Office spokesperson said: “We are considering a range of options to reduce our central costs. This includes considering the future of our remaining directly managed branches, which are loss-making. We have long publicly stated our ambition to move to a fully franchised network and are in dialogue with unions on future options.

What are we doing to protect access to cash?

According to Link, five million people in the UK still rely on cash every day.

New rules introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) require banks and building societies that close branches to protect customers’ access to cash.

When making changes, providers should assess whether local communities will be left without essential cash services, such as branches or ATMs, and fill any significant gaps.

Residents and community groups can also request a review of gaps in access to cash, with providers required to respond.

If significant gaps are identified, banks and building societies must offer reasonable alternatives, such as keeping branches or ATMs open until replacements are in place. Solutions may include introducing banking centers, new ATMs or using Post Office facilities to maintain cash payment services.

• Learn more: how Which? campaigned to protect the money and won

Alternative ways to withdraw money

Community Banking Centers

Under pressure from activists and the government, several major banks have agreed to fund shared banking centers on a voluntary basis.

These centers, staffed by Postal Service employees, provide essential counter services such as deposits, withdrawals and bill payments to customers of participating banks.

Most major banks are involved and the hubs also offer private spaces where customers can meet with representatives from their bank for advice on more complex matters. Representatives from different banks are available on certain days of the week.

Currently, 92 hubs are operational, and the government has committed to operating 250 within five years, including 230 by the end of next year.

• Learn more: best banks and bank accounts

Cash Back

Link’s ‘cash at checkout’ service has become a popular way to access cash in stores, with £5.5 million withdrawn every month.

Customers can withdraw any amount from 1p to £50, depending on their account balance and the cash available in the retailer’s till. Notes and coins are available.

The average amount withdrawn through this service is £24. You can use The link site to see where the program is available near you.

Barclays has introduced its own no-spend cashback service in 2022. This allows Visa and Mastercard debit card holders to withdraw up to £100 a day for free from thousands of small businesses and local retailers.

There is no minimum amount, so customers can withdraw exact amounts such as £8.64 rather than having to withdraw £10 from the ATM.

Look for the Cashpoint Point (CP) logo in a store or business window.

• Learn more: how to change bank account