Paul Hoy, CashZone

As many retailers in Northern Ireland will have noticed, independent ATM operator Bank Machine has changed its name to CashZone.

Global ATM services provider Cardtronics has begun the roll-out of a new look and feel to the branding of its GB and Northern Ireland ATM estates.

As part of the introduction of the new branding, Cardtronics will unite the estates, brands and slogans of Bank Machine, CashZone, and its European arm, Cardpoint, under the fresh, single identity of CashZone.

The new branding reinforces and extends Cardtronics’ position as the world’s foremost provider of conveniently located retail ATMs.

From a consumer point-of-view, the Bank Machine and CashZone brands will remain intact in the UK for a transitional period, while all new installations will carry the new branding.

Cardtronics has been part of the ATM provider community in the UK since its 2005 acquisition of Bank Machine, while CashZone was established in the UK in 1999. The new CashZone brand will have a portfolio of more than 12,000 ATMs all across the UK.

Paul Hoy, NI area manager for CashZone talked to NR about the new branding and how the ATM operator is now leading the way in the independent retail sector.

“We are now the No.1 ATM operator in Northern Ireland with just over 300 ATMs and by the end of the year we will have in excess of 400 cash machines in operation here.”

Since entering the market in Northern Ireland, CashZone has seen huge growth, and Paul says 2014 will be the biggest year so far in terms of ATMs installed – double 2013’s figures.

“Retailers know we provide a first class service which is why we are seeing more sign up to partner with CashZone,” said Paul.

“They know we offer a professional service, there’s good availability for customers and most of all, a reliable ATM.”

The retail convenience market is where CashZone is seeing most of its business growth and whilst it is operating in other sectors, the focus in NI is predominantly on independent retailers.

“Feedback from retailers is that businesses are growing since CashZone ATMs were installed,” said Paul.

“It’s all very positive, but the most positive message for us is that business is growing substantially in Northern Ireland so we are very happy with how things are progressing.”

Leading retailers across Northern Ireland have opted for CashZone ATMs and successful businesses such as Crieghton’s of Finaghy in Belfast and Tom McAvoy’s brand new Nisa store in Rathfriland have opted for two ATMs, in Tom’s case, one through-the-wall and one internal machine.

“Our retail installations are a mixture of through-the-wall and in-store,” said Paul.

“In the latter half of this year we will be putting ATMs into 14 Translink bus and rail stations as we aim to bring the ATMs to the population centres where the footfall is. This is a new venture for us and we are looking forward to getting those ATMS on the ground.”

As well as supplying typical ATM services dispensing cash, bank balance, and mobile top-ups, a new service called Ukash lets you withdraw money from a CashZone machine using a PIN number purchased online.

However one of the most successful ATM services for CashZone in the independent retail sector has been on-screen advertising.

“With one retail chain in Northern Ireland, we are running on-screen advertising,” said Paul.

“So whatever promotional period is being advertised in the media, we have the same screen shots running on the ATM. Our research so far has shown customers have a fantastic recall after viewing the advertising on the ATM as they are concentrating more than watching TV or listening to the radio so this has the potential to be a real growth area for us.”

Looking ahead to the next 12 months, Paul is confident of achieving more ATM installations than ever before in Northern Ireland and continuing to work with existing retailers who are readily resigning contracts with CashZone.

Paul said: “For now we will continue to expand in Northern Ireland and provide our existing customers with an ATM service that is proven to grow their business and generate more footfall.”

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