Cllr Keith Holloway, who’s campaign against the closure of Gatley’s last bank has attracted over 850 signatures in just a couple of weeks, has written to Barclays asking to meet and discuss alternatives to the closure of branch and cash machine currently being proposed.

You can sign Keith’s petition against Barclays closing here.

 

Jason Clarke

Community Leader, Manchester Area

Barclays

Leicester

LE87 2BB

Dear Jason Clarke

Proposed Closure of Barclays Bank, Gatley, Cheadle, Stockport

We write to raise our concern at Barclays’ proposed closure of your Gatley branch. Gatley is a well-established local centre on the west of Stockport borough, with in excess of 9000 residents within the locality and a wide range of local shops and other businesses. Over the past few years other banks have closed – leaving Barclays as the last bank in the village.

Many residents were shocked and surprised to receive a letter from Barclays announcing that from 21st August 2015 this bank as well will close. Many residents have contacted us to ask how they can continue to access a local bank – the nearest banks are well over a mile away, requiring the crossing of a very busy road junction – and we can give them no answer.

The bank’s letter comments on the availability of internet banking but many of our more elderly residents do not have access to the internet or if they do are very reluctant to use it for any financial activity. Many of our local businesses are concerned as to how to deal with cash takings at the end of the day – will they have to pay for a security company to collect it? The cash point outside the bank is very well used: should the bank close then the cash point will also go, necessitating a long walk to the next cash point at the other end of the shopping centre.

Faced with these concerns we set up a petition to “Save Barclays Bank in Gatley” and have been astounded at the level of response – over 500 signatures in just a couple of weeks, all of local residents, with more people signing up every day. We’re still collecting signatures and I will forward on the petition shortly.

For all the above reasons, we would ask Barclays to think again about the proposed closure. We understand the need for banks – and all businesses – to control costs, but find it difficult to understand how closing the last bank in a busy local community can be a good business model.

My council colleagues and I would like to meet with your local decision-makers to explore alternative options to a complete closure. I would be grateful if you could ask for this meeting to be set up as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely

 

Cllr Keith Holloway

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