I am extremely disappointed to hear that the Helmsley Barclays is due to close by February 2022. I have written to the CEO and met with regional representatives this week. I will push for a public meeting on the closure before Christmas and also raise this with Ministers. Guy Opperman, the Minister for Financial Inclusion has been copied into the letter to Mr. Venkatakrishnan.
If constituents have any concerns please do contact my office.
Excerpt of letter:
I am extremely concerned and disappointed that this branch is due to be closed. Helmsley is a vibrant community with a number of residents and businesses who access physical banking services. Access to cash and an in-person counter are vital services to my constituents and local businesses who may not be able to access online banking services. I do appreciate that mobile banking services are going to be in place, however these will be only accessible every other week.
Whilst I also appreciate your intention to open to a bank counter in a nearby premises on a permanent basis, as well as a smart ATM, these should be implemented before the bank closure is implemented. This should not be a speculative plan to be implemented after the closure has been effected. I appreciate the pandemic has significantly reduced footfall in our town centres, but I strongly urge you to reconsider the plans to close on February 25th 2021 until the measures I have outlined are in place.
