Cash Machine Deserts: Where The UK Is Losing Free ATMs In 2026
A "cash machine desert" is a place where it's hard to get cash without travelling or paying a fee. As card payments have grown, banks and ATM operators have closed thousands of free machines. For most people that's a minor nuisance. For older people, those on low incomes and small businesses that still take cash, it can be a real problem.
This page brings together the latest figures on free ATMs from LINK and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), checked October 2026. You can download the regional data as a CSV.
How many free cash machines are left?
LINK, which runs the UK's ATM network, publishes the number of free to use cash machines each year.
| Year | Free to use ATMs |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 52,763 |
| 2017 | 54,599 (peak) |
| 2018 | 52,040 |
| 2019 | 45,355 |
| 2020 | 41,727 |
| 2021 | 40,942 |
| 2022 | 39,429 |
| 2023 | 37,299 |
| 2024 | 35,468 |
| 2025 | 33,699 |
Source: LINK. LINK's press release gives a slightly different 2025 figure of 33,710.
That's a fall of about 38% from the 2017 peak. On top of the free machines, there are 8,693 pay to use ATMs, for a total of 42,403 cash machines, down from 44,569 a year earlier.
Why the numbers fell
The biggest drops came in 2019 and 2020. In 2019, about 6,700 free machines disappeared, partly because the fee LINK pays operators for each withdrawal was cut, which made quieter machines unprofitable. Then the pandemic slashed cash use, and many machines in shops and pubs that were closed for months never came back.
Since then the decline has slowed to around 1,500 to 2,000 machines a year. Fewer withdrawals mean each machine earns less, so more close, which in turn nudges more people towards cards.
Free ATMs by region
The FCA's cash access data for the second half of 2025 shows how free machines are spread.
| Region | Free to use ATMs (H2 2025) |
|---|---|
| London | 4,375 |
| South East | 4,131 |
| North West | 3,823 |
| Scotland | 3,425 |
| West Midlands | 3,018 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 2,970 |
| East of England | 2,780 |
| South West | 2,502 |
| East Midlands | 2,439 |
| Wales | 1,650 |
| North East | 1,502 |
| Northern Ireland | 1,387 |
| United Kingdom | 34,002 |
Source: FCA. The FCA and LINK count at different points and in slightly different ways, so their totals don't match exactly.
Raw numbers don't tell you everything. A rural region with fewer machines spread over a larger area will have more people a long way from one. And some areas rely heavily on cash, so a closure hits harder.
Where cash matters most
LINK's data on cash withdrawals shows that people in some parts of the UK still use far more cash than others. In 2025 the average adult took out £1,352. In Northern Ireland the average was £2,249, in Scotland £1,550 and in the North West £1,529. In the South West it was £974. Northern Ireland has the fewest free ATMs in our table and the highest withdrawals per person, which shows why access there is closely watched.
Overall, LINK recorded 1,272 million withdrawals in 2025, down from 1,388 million in 2024. By September 2026 there had been 876 million withdrawals so far that year.
What's protecting access to cash?
Despite the closures, coverage is still high. The FCA's figures show that 99.6% of people in urban areas live within one mile of a free way to get cash, and 98.1% of people in rural areas live within three miles.
Several things keep that coverage in place:
The cash access rules
Since 2024, the FCA has had rules requiring banks and building societies to assess the impact of closing a branch or free ATM, and to put alternatives in place where there's a gap. LINK carries out these assessments for the industry.
Protected ATMs
LINK protects machines in places where they're the only free option for a community, paying operators more to keep them running. There were 3,788 protected ATMs as of August 2026.
Banking hubs
Banking hubs are shared spaces where customers of different banks can deposit and withdraw cash, usually run with the Post Office. LINK has recommended more than 200 hubs across the UK.
The Post Office
Customers of most UK banks can withdraw and deposit cash at Post Office counters. For many small businesses in areas without a branch, this is now the main way to bank takings.
What it means for small businesses
Banking your takings
If your nearest branch has closed, cash deposits may mean a longer trip, a Post Office queue or a banking hub with limited hours. Factor that time in. Our cash handling cost calculator helps you work out what cash really costs you.
Customers who need cash
In areas with few machines, customers may arrive with less cash, so taking cards becomes more important. But in places where people rely on cash, refusing it could lose you regulars.
Cashback as a service
Some shops offer cashback with card purchases, which can be a draw for customers when the nearest ATM is miles away. Since 2024, businesses can also offer cash withdrawals without a purchase if they choose to. Check with your card provider whether your machine supports it.
Deposit fees
Many business accounts charge to deposit cash. Starling, for example, charges 0.7% with a £3 minimum when you pay in cash at the Post Office. Compare accounts in our guide to business bank accounts.
Practical tips if you trade in a cash desert
- Bank less often but safely. Fewer trips save time, but don't keep large sums on site. Check your insurance limit for cash on the premises.
- Use the Post Office. Find out which local branch handles business deposits and how much your bank charges.
- Take cards and keep cash. Let customers choose. A cheap pay as you go reader covers card payments, and cash keeps your regulars happy.
- Recycle your float. Using cash takings to pay small suppliers or give change cuts how much you need to bank.
- Ask LINK for help. Anyone can request a cash access assessment for their community if they think it's lost access to cash.
Pros and cons of the shift away from ATMs
Pros
- Less cash in circulation can mean less theft
- Lower costs for banks and, in theory, customers
- Card payments are faster and leave a record
Cons
- Harder for people who rely on cash to budget
- Small businesses travel further to bank takings
- Rural and deprived areas are hit hardest
Who this page is for
Small businesses deciding whether to keep taking cash, councils and community groups worried about local access, researchers and journalists. Please credit LINK and the FCA as sources and link here if you use our summary.
What happens next
Cash use is still falling, so more machines are likely to close. The protections above mean the closures should be managed, with hubs, protected ATMs and Post Office access filling gaps. Watch LINK's announcements for your area if your business relies on cash.
If you think your area has lost access to cash, you can ask LINK to review it. Requests can come from individuals, community groups or local representatives, and LINK publishes its decisions.
How we compiled this
We took annual free ATM numbers from LINK's published figures, and regional counts from the FCA's cash access data for H2 2025. Withdrawal data and protected ATM numbers come from LINK. Figures were checked October 2026. We haven't adjusted for population or area, so treat the regional table as a count, not a ranking of access.
FAQs
What is a cash machine desert?
An area where people have to travel a long way, or pay a fee, to get cash.
How many free ATMs are there in the UK?
LINK counted 33,699 free to use ATMs in 2025. The FCA counted 34,002 for the second half of 2025.
How many ATMs has the UK lost?
Free ATMs have fallen by about 38% since the 2017 peak of 54,599.
Which region has the fewest free ATMs?
Northern Ireland, with 1,387 in the FCA's H2 2025 figures, followed by the North East with 1,502.
Can I get cash at the Post Office?
Yes. Customers of most UK banks can withdraw and deposit cash at Post Office counters.
What is a banking hub?
A shared banking space where customers of different banks can pay in and take out cash. LINK has recommended more than 200.