Closure of Mitcham Barclays
I am so disappointed to report that Barclays are closing their branch in Mitcham Town Centre despite overwhelming feedback against the plans from our local community.
The much loved branch is a lifeline for so many local residents who rely on the safety and accessibility of in person banking. In recent weeks I have joined a week long stall outside the branch, held a packed public meeting and have even spoken out on national television about the closure of the branch.
Only half of local residents that we spoke to use online banking and over half of customers that we met outside the branch said
that they had been using the branch for more than 10 years! And whilst Barclays pointed out the proximity of a number of
cashpoints and of the Post Office, it’s simply not good enough. There’s already
a queue outside the Post Office door!
Barclays have replaced the branch with a bus (!) that will drive outside the branch. But this will be at different times in different weeks and residents are rightly frustrated.
The response from our community was covered by BBC's Sunday Politics programme who interviewed local residents hearing about the impact that the closure would have. Thank you to all who spoke out and I am very sorry that Barclays have taken this decision.