Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has said the decision by Barclays to close their Portadown branch from the end of July is yet another blow to the high street, and the presence of banks in our town centres.
Commenting, the DUP representative said:
“This will be a blow for Barclays customer base in Portadown and the surrounding area. The option to call in to branch is one that is valued by many, not least those who use Barclays for business banking or find online banking too complicated. This news is hugely disappointing.
Of course we know too that this will mean another high street bank is withdrawing a branch from within our town centres. It is not too long ago since Danske Bank did the same in local towns. Buildings are left empty, leaving a void in our town centres that can be hard to fill.
I will be engaging with Barclays to discuss their plans to service customers needs. They have indicated that face to face will still be available to customers but we need much more detail on how this is being facilitated and how often this service will be available.Technology has certainly transformed banking, but we cannot forget those for whom online banking is simply too much of an unknown. Their needs must be met by banks and I will be making that point to Barclays when we meet.”
ENDS
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