Local bank branch alternatives

Yes, in most cases. The Post Office itself won't charge you any fees, and high street banks won't either.

However, some prepaid card providers, such as Cashplus, Optimum and Monese, do charge you to top up your account at the Post Office – so it's worth double-checking with your card provider before you go.

Nearly all major UK banks, including Adam & Co, AIB, Bank of Ireland, Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Cahoot, Coutts, Co-Operative Bank, Danske, First Direct, Halifax, Handelsbanken, HSBC, Lloyds, Metro, Nationwide, NatWest, RBS, Santander, Smile, Starling Bank, TSB, Ulster Bank and Virgin Money.

A notable exceptions is app-only bank Chase.

Be aware that not all banks support all services (such as paying in cheques or checking your balance) – you can check what your bank lets you do on the Post Office website.

No – you can use the Post Office for banking whenever the branch is open.

Barclays runs an educational and support van that enables Barclays and Barclaycard customers in England and Wales to access certain advice and help in their local area at specific times and dates each month. You can check if a nearby town is covered on Barclays' website.

Under the 'Barclays van' service customers can get advice on:

• Buying a new home

• Online banking

• Saving for the future

• Setting up a business

You can also access similar support at one of Barclays' 200 pop-up banking sites, located in spaces such as community centres, libraries and business hubs – find your nearest on the Barclays website.

The bank previously told us it was "on target" to have 70 more pop-ups open in the first half of 2023, plus 10 new 'banking pods' by the end of the summer – these are purpose-built, semi-permanent structures in sites such as shopping centres and retail parks.

However, the Barclays van service and pop-up locations (including the upcoming pods) don't have cash or counter services, so you won't be able to manage your money there. If you need access to these services, you can use a Post Office branch.

Halifax 'community bankers' will visit an area for a short period of time after a branch closes. They'll have a dedicated office space in a local venue for you to chat in private and can offer support with account enquiries.

There's no need to book an appointment in advance – check if a community banker is visiting your area on Halifax's website and then just turn up.

However, be aware that community bankers don't offer cash or counter services, so you won't be able to manage your money with them. If you need access to these services you can use a Post Office branch.

HSBC runs pop-up 'community events' throughout the UK, where a representative from the bank will visit a local area for a morning or afternoon to help with basic banking queries. You can find details of upcoming community events on HSBC's website.

If you have online banking set up, you can get help with making and managing new and existing payments, reporting a lost, stolen or damaged card and depositing cheques up to £500.

However, be aware that you won't be able to access cash at these community events, and you'll need online banking set up in order to access most of the banking services on offer. If you need to withdraw money, or don't feel comfortable using online banking, a local Post Office branch may be a better option.

Lloyds runs a mobile branch service that enables customers in England and Wales to access certain services in their local area at specific times and dates each month. You can check if a nearby town is covered on Lloyds' website.

Some of the services available as part of the mobile branch service are:

• Cash/cheque deposits.

• Managing standing orders and direct debits.

• Paying bills.

• Sending money outside the UK.

• Withdrawing cash.

NatWest runs a mobile branch service that can be found at various locations throughout the year, for up to five days at a time. The service lets you do everyday banking including making deposits, withdrawing cash and paying bills.

You can find out where your nearest mobile branch is, or when it will next be in your area, on the NatWest website.

NatWest customers can also use Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) branches (the banks are part of the same banking group) for everyday banking, such as cash deposits and withdrawals and paying in cheques – find your nearest RBS branch.

RBS runs a mobile branch service that can be found at various locations throughout the year, for up to five days at a time. The service lets you do everyday banking including making deposits, withdrawing cash and paying bills.

You can find out where your nearest mobile branch is, or when it will next be in your area, on the RBS website.

RBS customers can also use NatWest branches (the banks are part of the same banking group) for everyday banking, such as cash deposits and withdrawals and paying in cheques – find your nearest NatWest branch.

TSB runs 'pop-up' banks in selected community locations across England, Scotland and Wales. There are currently 47 of these – you can check if there's one near you on TSB's website.

At TSB pop-up banks, you can access the following services:

• Help with managing your existing payments, such as Direct Debits.

• Internet and mobile banking registration, forgotten passwords and troubleshooting.

• Reporting lost or stolen cards.

• Non-cash payments to someone you've paid before, up to £10,000.

• Help with general product enquiries.

• Help with managing finances if you've suffered a bereavement.

However, most of the TSB pop-up locations don't have cash or counter services, so you won't be able to manage your money there – the exception is the Nottingham pop-up, which has a counter where you can deposit and withdraw cash. If you need access to cash elsewhere, you can use a Post Office branch.