Hundreds of branches across UK are being closed every year as banks cut cost
The retreat of banks from the high street has been laid bare by plans for a town to be left without a single branch.
Barclays is currently the only bank in Leiston, Suffolk, but its customers will soon have a near 50-mile round trip to their nearest branch after it revealed the outlet will close in May.
The return journey to Lowestoft, 24 miles away – will take at least 90 minutes by car, while accessing services in Ipswich, 26 miles away, will swallow up nearly two hours.
The Mail has repeatedly highlighted bank closures, while sister paper The Mail on Sunday has campaigned for communities to keep at least one bank in its Keep our Cash Manifesto.
Dozens of protesters demonstrated in Leiston on Saturday over the closure decision
Protesters outside the Barclays branch in Leiston, which could shut and leave people unable to access their bank
Hundreds of branches are being closed every year as banks cut costs, saying most people prefer to go online.
Critics say businesses and charities that rely on cash then suffer, while people unable to go online are penalised.
Dozens of protesters demonstrated in Leiston on Saturday over the closure decision. The bank has shut premises in neighbouring Woodbridge, Framlingham, Halesworth and Felixstowe in the past two years.
Tim Baskett, who has cerebral palsy, said it was a trek to the Ipswich branch from its nearest car park. He added: ‘And, to be honest, I wouldn’t want to go across Ipswich with a lot of cash.’
David Silver, who runs a motorbike spares company, said: ‘I need access to large amounts of cash very quickly because if I want to go and buy a motorcycle, some people will only accept cash.
Protesters claim that pensioners and people with disabilities will struggle to access physical banking services
Hundreds of branches are being closed every year as banks cut costs, saying most people prefer to go online
‘I don’t think banks should just be allowed to close. It’s like gas or water companies – they can’t just turn off an area because it doesn’t suit them.’
Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey, who set up a petition which has been signed by 700 people, branded Barclays ‘shameless’.
‘My past experience is that Barclays is pretty shameful and shameless and will continue to try to close the branch but, thanks to the number of petition signatories, I was able to demonstrate the strength of local feeling.’
Customers who move to another bank will still have to travel seven miles to and from Saxmundham, which has a HSBC.
A Barclays spokesman said: ‘In Leiston, we are planning to open a Barclays Local – a cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support.’
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