MP says bank will maintain presence for at least 12 months after closure
John Baron MP recently met Karen Swainston [Government Relations, Barclays], Stuart Pugh [Customer Care Leader, Barclays] and Becky Dobson [Billericay Branch Manager] to discuss the recent news that Barclays intends to close its Billericay High Street branch on 24th August 2022.
During the meeting, Barclays explained the support they are putting in place for vulnerable and disadvantaged customers which includes contacting all those on the branch’s ‘vulnerable customer list’ to ensure that they are able to access other means of banking through online and telephone services and the local post office. The team also committed to maintaining a weekly presence at a hub site in Billericay for at least 12 months after the closure and are currently exploring venues to enable this. They agreed to review this with John after 11 months when they look at whether to extend the timeframe further.
John said:
“Whilst it is obviously disappointing that the Billericay branch is closing, I was pleased to see that much thought has gone into ensuring that the elderly and vulnerable who rely on ‘in person’ services will not be left without the means to deal with their banking needs. I am also pleased that the bank will be maintaining a weekly presence at a hub site for at least 12 months and will be liaising with me before deciding whether to continue with this thereafter.”
Stuart Pugh [Customer Care Leader for Barclays] said:
“Whilst the decision to close a branch is never an easy one, we will still have an active presence in the community via new and alternative touch points and we’ll be sharing where our new location will be as soon as we have the details confirmed. Customers will still have access to general advice and help with basic banking, such as transfers between accounts, change of address, opening of savings and ISA accounts, setting up mobile banking and amending direct debits and standing orders.”