• App-based Click & Collect Cash pilot launches in Burslem and Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, with consumers pre-ordering cash for collection at local shops
• Positive feedback paves the way for a larger roll out to other UK locations

The country’s first “Click & Collect” cash service has been up hand running for three months, with shoppers in Burslem and Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, now able to pick up cash from a range of stores in the town without making a purchase. The app-based scheme is operated by Sonect, the Swiss Fintech, supported by Loomis, the UK’s largest cash management specialist, and forms part of the Community Cash Access Pilot scheme that is testing innovations that could ensure the UK public retain convenient and free access to cash.

The Sonect App allows customers to confirm on their smartphone which of Sonects retail partners have the cash they want and pre-order it for collection in minutes, free of charge. Early feedback from the trial is positive, with strong demand from customers keen to try out the new technology. So far, after only one full month, the app has had over 400 downloads, with £’ooo made available across the six participating shops.

Eric Massah, who regularly visits Sonect retail partner Beverleys News says “I like Sonect because I can take out a small amount of cash often, rather than making occasional large withdrawals. With Sonect, this is so easy at my community shop. And it is free of charge, unlike some conventional ATMs!”

Tony Riaz, who runs Sonect retail partner One Stop says “This is a really important scheme for the local community around our shop. There are many local people who rely on cash through choice or necessity. Partnering with Sonect means we can help them get all the cash they need to shop and live their lives to the full. The Sonect app makes providing free access to cash easy. It is already making a significant difference and that will grow as more and more of our customers appreciate the benefits of using the Sonect service.”

Simon Wood, Commercial Director of Loomis UK, commented: “Already, at this early stage of the pilot, it is clear that there is an underlying demand for cash, and both businesses and consumers are up for trying new ways to deliver and accept cash. We are delighted to be playing our part in providing this service alongside Sonect.”

Ron Delnevo, UK Director of Sonect, noted: “The feedback on this new service has been fantastic so far. Customers really appreciate the certainty of knowing where and when they can pick up their cash without the obligation to make a purchase. At the same time, our retail partners are benefitting from increased foot fall and more efficient use of the cash in their businesses. I am confident every community in the UK will soon be ready to welcome this innovation.”

Media Contact
Maitland/AMO
James McFarlane / Vikki Kosmalska / Arantxa Arias
[email protected]
+44 (0) 207 379 5151

About Loomis UK
Loomis is the UK’s largest cash management specialist. From secure money safes to intelligent smart safes, cash in transit and cash processing, Loomis supports banks, retailers and other businesses throughout the UK with crucial coin collection and delivery services, along with ATM management and replenishment services. Loomis operates through an international network of more than 400 branches in more than 20 countries. Our foreign currency processing service Loomis FX, and bespoke logistics division Special Services, round off our complete end-to-end cash management offering.

For more information: https://www.loomis.co.uk/

About Sonect
Sonect, a Zurich-based Fintech, was founded in 2016 and employs 30 people in Switzerland, Lithuania, UK and Italy. The start-up provides a platform that makes financial services easily accessible for anyone, anywhere. Through Sonect, every till becomes a virtual ATM, and thanks to the Sonect app, cash withdrawals are simpler, faster and more cost-efficient. With over 2,300 partner stores, Sonect already operates one of the largest ATM networks in Switzerland. For more information visit www.sonect.net

On Thursday 27th May, the Sonect UK team was at Fegg Hayes Futures Hub in Burslem, which Sonect is honoured to sponsor.

We were running an “App Download Party” where people from the local community visited the hub throughout the day to get help downloading the app, with the chance to win prizes! The day ended with two people being awarded cash on to their Sonect app and two people receiving gift vouchers to the local Spar store (also one of our retail partners!).

It was great to meet people from the local Fegg Hayes community so interested in our innovative way of accessing cash.

Media Contact
Rachel Smyth
Sonect UK Marketing Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07757 809841

About Sonect
Sonect, a Zurich-based Fintech start-up, was founded in 2016. Sonect provides an international platform that makes financial services easily accessible. The Sonect App enables cash withdrawals directly at any Retail Partner. With Sonect, every store till can become an ATM and cash withdrawals become simpler, faster and more cost-effective. With over 2300 shops providing the Sonect service, Sonect already has the largest cash-access network in Switzerland and is in the midst of a significant expansion programme, including in Italy and the UK.For more information visit www.sonect.net

Stoke North MP Jonathan Gullis to Present the Cheque on Friday 23 April at 1.30PM.

To coincide with the launch of their innovative Cash Access App in Burslem and Tunstall, Sonect is delighted to confirm that they have agreed a sponsorship arrangement with Fegg Hayes Futures, who run the Hub@ST6.

Ron Delnevo, UK Director Sonect, noted “Sonect want to make telling contribution to the different communities within the Burslem & Tunstall area in every respect. Our App does this in a very special way, providing residents with the UK’s first “Click & Collect” Cash Service, giving customers a guarantee that they can collect the cash they need free of charge, when and where they want it, at the local Sonect Retail Partner of their choice.

Ron continued “But we want to do even more, so we asked local people which community project would benefit from some support. The name Fegg Hayes Futures came up a number of times, so we made contact and I am delighted to say agreement has been reached for an initially small sponsorship scheme.”

Helen Snashall, Community Development Managerof Fegg Hayes Futures was both surprised and thrilled to hear from Sonect “This is the first such sponsorship arrangement that we have agreed. It is good to see a company wanting to do something extra for the local community. The money will help us with a number of projects, including safely restarting our parent and toddler group and putting on activities for families during the school holidays.”

The presentation of an initial cheque for £500 will be made by North Stoke MP Jonathan Gullis, who has been an enthusiastic promoter of improving access to cash in his constituency.

Jonathan Gullis commented “For the past year I have been working hard alongside stakeholders in the community to push for better free access to cash, as part of the UK Finance Community Access to Cash Pilots Initiative. I was delighted to work with Sonect and support their work in the constituency. The work they have done for organizations such as Fegg Hayes Futures Is fantastic, and I am delighted this amazing group of people, which provide key support int he community, are being sponsored.”

The presentation to Fegg Hayes Futures will take place at 1.30PM on Friday 23 April at Sonect’s Retail Partner One Stop Smallthorne. The shop is located at 36 -38 Community Drive, Smallthorne, ST6 1RU.

Sonect launched in Burslem and Tunstall on 19 April 2021. An initial ten Retail Partners have been appointed, with more to follow.

To mark the launch, Sonect is giving the first 500 residents in ST6 who fully onboard with the App a credit of £10.

Media Contact
Rachel Smyth
Sonect UK Marketing Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07757 809841

About Sonect
Sonect, a Zurich-based Fintech start-up, was founded in 2016. Sonect provides an international platform that makes financial services easily accessible. The Sonect App enables cash withdrawals directly at any Retail Partner. With Sonect, every store till can become an ATM and cash withdrawals become simpler, faster and more cost-effective. With over 2300 shops providing the Sonect service, Sonect already has the largest cash-access network in Switzerland and is in the midst of a significant expansion programme, including in Italy and the UK.For more information visit www.sonect.net

About the Community Access to Cash Pilots: The Community Access to Cash Pilots (CACP) initiative is working with a number of communities across the UK to trial and test scalable solutions to help keep cash sustainable. The initiative is supported by the banking and finance industry which will provide resources in the form of financing and local staff who understand what is possible, linked to a central team who have the influence to make things happen. The pilot programme is also supported by a wide range of consumer groups and charities, who will also bring their expertise to support the work. The pilots will start in April 2021 and run until the end of September 2021. Pilot communities have been selected by an independent board, chaired by Natalie Ceeney CBE, who led the Access to Cash Review, and supported by a mix of industry, small business and customer representatives. For more information visit https://communityaccesstocashpilots.org/

The new “click and collect” service follows the landmark Access to Cash review.

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Scheme by Loomis UK and Sonect will be introduced in Burslem, Staffordshire.

It is a bid to help the one in six people who rely on cash, amid fears more ATMs will soon…