- This comes after Barclays is set to close its Yarm high street branch, a year after the closure of the Barclays store in Thornaby.
- Despite Barclays opening a ‘pop-up’ branch instead, Matt Vickers believes this is not a long-term solution for those who will be most affected by the closure.
Yesterday in the Commons, Matt Vickers addressed the Leader of the House of Commons Penny Mordaunt MP, requesting a debate take place into banking facilities on high streets. This comes after the announcement from Barclays that it is set to permanently close its Yarm high street branch.
This news comes only a year on from the closure of the Barclays Thornaby branch, leaving limited options for elderly and vulnerable locals who still rely on in-person banking. A cashless, ‘pop-up’ store is set to be introduced, but Matt Vickers does not believe this is a solution which will offer much help in the long-term.
Commenting, Matt Vickers said:
“The closure is going to leave constituents who rely on the bank's cash deposit and withdrawal services extremely concerned. The vulnerable and elderly people in my patch who do not have access to online banking are going to be left with very little options for financial services who rely on the Barclays Yarm site. This is even more apparent after the Barclays branch closure in Thornaby last year.
“I was made aware of fellow colleagues who are experiencing similar issues within their constituencies. As well as leaving vulnerable and elderly constituents limited access to banking services, it reduces footfall in our high streets, affecting retail and independent businesses in our local communities.
“I am looking forward to meeting with my colleagues to discuss this further and will be pursuing a debate on this matter. Simple banking services which many rely on are blatantly being removed from our communities.”
