SMEB is committed to supporting small business in rural locations offering essential cash deposit services and access to cash

SMEB is dedicated to supporting small business by providing financial technology for banking solutions. SMEB believes that banks have been focusing less on small businesses and rural communities which has left communities with little or no easy access to banks and essential services.

SMEB offers a cash deposit solution called SMEB Cube which allows businesses to deposit cash quickly and conveniently and because we use open bank-enabled technology this means the funds are then deposited instantly into customer’s account without a delay.

Because of the convenient locations of the Cubes, small business can deposit their daily takings securely and safely.

The benefits of the Cube include: Safe cash deposit of funds Immediate credit of funds to your bank account Numerous other financial services

SMEB was founded by British payment veterans to respond to the rapid reduction in local banking services that has left millions behind. More than 5,000 bank branches have closed in the past five years, with 400 further closures expected in 2024.

SMEB is developing a physical high street presence, coupled with technology solutions, that provide cost effective and widespread banking to Britain’s 5.5 million SMEs.

Andrew Martin, Chairman of SMEB:  “Traditional banks have abandoned the high streets at the heart of the British economy. We believe that Britain’s millions of small businesses deserve better. They need a bank that helps them succeed; a bank that takes all payments – including cash, that has a local presence and works with, not against, their technology. We are in the final stages of preparing a compelling service that offers choice, simplicity and reliability – allowing SMEs to bank how they want, when they want.”

The company is a principal member with VISA and Mastercard through their licensing programming, which allows it to directly process and accept payments from customers using Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards which account for 99% of debit and credit card payments in the UK.

SMEB has also built connectivity to the UK Open Banking environment and has connection to 3,500 EU Banks for Open Banking services, allowing SMEB to offer a full range of bank payments (including cash) and to speed up customer sign up.

A Nature Recovery Strategy for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Cornwall Council’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) has designed a short-term framework aimed at ensuring that 30% of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are well-managed for nature by 2030. This strategy will help tackle the ecological emergency by making nature bigger, better, and more connected, ultimately supporting wildlife, well-being, and prosperity.

What is a Local Nature Recovery Strategy?

Local Nature Recovery Strategies are locally-led plans aimed at fostering nature's growth and recovery. These strategies consist of:

• A map of the most valuable areas for wildlife currently.
• Identification of opportunities to improve nature in the future.
• Outline of local short-term priorities.

Cornwall Council, in partnership with the Local Nature Partnership and the Council of the Isles of Scilly, is leading the creation of a new Nature Recovery Strategy for the region. Once completed, this strategy will serve as a blueprint for supporting wildlife, woodlands, wetlands, and other natural habitats.

A leaflet recently posted out to the local farming community about the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) and how it may affect agriculture in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly can be accessed HERE.

For more information, the launch webinar and additional resources can be accessed HERE.  Contact grow-nature@cornwall.gov.uk directly for any further information.