A BANK’S decision to downgrade services in Bromsgrove has been branded ‘disappointing’ by the town’s MP Bradley Thomas.
Santander has announced that from June 30 the counter at it’s Bromsgrove high street branch will no longer be available.
In making their decision to downgrade this branch to a counter-free service, Santander said they looked at where their branches are located, how they’re used, and the other local banking options available.
The branches opening hours and other services will remain the same while staff will still be on hand to show customers how to use cash machines to pay in cheques and cash, withdraw money, pay bills and see account balances.
When residents visit the branch, they will need to bring their card and know their PIN.
This further downgrading of banking services in Bromsgrove follows the announcements in February of the looming closure of Bromsgrove’s Lloyds (closing May 7) and Halifax (closing May 29) branches.
To ensure residents can continue to easily access face-to-face banking and cash withdrawal services, Mr Thomashas been campaigning for a permanent Banking Hub to be set-up in Bromsgrove.
Mr Thomas also met with the chief executive of LINK, John Howells, to discuss his on-going work to secure a Banking Hub. LINK decides which communities get banking hubs.
Whilst Mr Howells committed to continually reassessing the situation in Bromsgrove LINK confirmed to the Standard that Bromsgrove is not in line to receive such a facility due to the remaining banking services available.
Mr Thomas said: “We’re once again seeing a further downgrade of banking provision in Bromsgrove, which is why I’ve already been taking action to futureproof banking provision in our town.
“We need to act now so we avoid a situation in the future where Bromsgrove has no banking provision at all.”
Visit http://www.bradleythomas.org.uk/campaigns/bromsgrove-needs-banking-hub to continue support for Mr Thomas’ banking hub petition.
