Local MP Alan Mak has written to the Chief Executive of Barclays bank to ask him to re-think the bank’s “disappointing” decision to close its Hayling Island branch.
Barclays announced that its Elm Grove branch will close on Friday 23 March 2018, impacting around 200 customers who have no access to online banking. The decision means those customers, many of whom are elderly, may have to make a round trip by bus to Havant to access banking services.
Responding to the news of the closure, Mr Mak has written an immediate letter to Barclays CEO Jes Staley, asking him to review the decision “as a matter of urgency”.
Further to this, Mr Mak has asked for a number of questions surrounding the closure to be answered, as well as inviting representatives of the bank to a roundtable meeting of community leaders.
Alan Mak MP said: “Barclays announcement is very disappointing news for local businesses and residents. As local MP, I have acted immediately and written to Barclays' Chief Executive, asking him to review and reverse this decision as a matter of urgency.
“I have also demanded explanations as to what action has been taken to ensure those residents without access to online banking are not affected by this decision. In the meantime, we must keep supporting Hayling’s shops, our remaining bank, and the Post Office which offers banking services. Our local economy across Hayling is strong and we must all work together to keep it that way.”