In the year when huge profit increases have been listed by Barclays Bank, their decision to close the branch at 1 Newhaven Square, Newhaven, on the 3rd of December, leaving many customers with six mile round trips if they want to visit their bank, has been labelled as very concerning by the Newhaven MP, Norman Baker.
The news was announced in a letter to the MP which stated that usage at the Newhaven branch has been dwindling in recent years and this has resulted in the decision to close it. The Newhaven branch will be merged with the Peacehaven branch at 238a South Coast Road some three miles away.
Commenting Norman said: "It is all very well and good Barclays saying that usage at the Newhaven branch has been dwindling, but this offers little consolation for local customers, particularly the elderly, who still do use the bank and are now faced with a six mile round trip if they wish to speak to a bank advisor face-to-face.
"Barclays may say for instance that many customers do their banking online, but many do not and it is often those individuals who will find a trip to the Peacehaven branch a real hardship, even impossible in some instances."
This closure comes in the same year that Barclays announced first quarter profits were up by 47% on last year, and when the new Chief Executive, Bob Diamond, is reported to be lined up for an annual salary of nearly £1.3million (50 times the national average).
Norman added: "I find it pretty ironic that when Barclays are announcing huge profits, and no doubt paying out large bonuses, they cannot dig a little into those extraordinarily deep pockets to maintain this branch, not least for the benefit of their loyal customers. I am therefore writing to the new Chief Executive to say just that."
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
