Following the disappointing announcement by Barclays to close their Hayling Island Branch located at 22 Elm Grove, PO11 9EF, local MP Alan Mak has written to Barclays Group Chief Executive Jes Staley, to call on him to reverse the decision.
The branch is set to close on Friday 23 March 2018, and the decision rests solely with Barclays itself. However, Alan has asked Barclays to reconsider the decision, citing the potential problems it could cause to some local residents. While banking is increasingly taking place online, Alan is aware that 196 customers at the Elm Grove Branch use it exclusively for their banking needs.
Alan has managed to secure guarantees from Barclays that no jobs will be lost as a result of the closure, with staff being relocated to nearby branches. The nearest Barclays branch can be located at 18 East Street, Havant, PO9 1AQ. Following discussions between Alan Mak MP and Barclays representatives Chris Maynard, Community Banking Director for Solent & Dorset, and Julia Husband, Head of Corporate Relations in the South West, Alan is due to host a meeting with key local stakeholders.
In the letter to Barclay’s Chief Executive, dated 8 December, Alan Mak MP stated that “Your branch is at the centre of an important residential and business community at the heart of Hayling, and the Barclays branch is a popular, well-used local facility that is part of the fabric of the Island. It attracts customers into the area who will then visit other local businesses, and plays a key role in the day-to-day functioning of our local economy.”
“The long-term interests of Barclays and its shareholders lie in supporting local businesses and communities such as those on Hayling Island, all of which require banking services and will remember the commitment shown to them by Barclays if you remain. At a time when the financial services sector must continue to work hard to regain public trust, I can see no better way than to continue to operate and thereby serve Hayling Island’s businesses and residents as you have done for many years.”
To view Alan’s letter to Barclays and their response outlining reasons for the closure, please see below.
If you have any questions about the planned closure, please contact Julia Husband, Head of Corporate Relations in the South West, at [email protected] .