A BANK has vowed to maintain a weekly presence in Leigh when it closes its branch later this year as critics warn the move doesn't go far enough to cover lost services.

The Barclays at 10 Broadway, Leigh, will be shutting form September 9 in response to a drop in useage and rise in online banking.

Bosses plan to soften the blow of the closure by running a “banking hub” from the Leigh Community Centre, in Elm Road, every Wednesday from 9am-5pm.

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The hub will be staffed by a Barclays member of staff who will help with account queries, digital demonstrations and offer financial reviews. 

However, they will not be able to help with any physical transactions, including with cash or cheques.

Leigh resident Mike Hansford has warned the weekly service does not go far enough to ease concerns over the upcoming closure.

“It’s certainly a good thing they have listened to anger in the community, but with so few services and open just once a day, this does not solve many problems caused by the closure,” the 79-year-old said.

“With many residents isolated by the recent stripping of local bus routes, they will still have to travel quite far if they want to deposit cash.”

Leigh will have lost five bank branches in four years by September with Halifax, TSB and HSBC all pulling out of the town since 2019. 

Natwest will be shutting its branch in August, just weeks before the Barclays closure. 

Leigh councillor Carole Mulroney has welcomed action taken by Barclays to maintain a presence in the town. 

She said: "I am pleased that Barclays have been more proactive than the others in realising the effect and making albeit limited provision. 

She added: “It is a sorry state when a town of over 20,000 is left like this but I am sure the banks will have done their homework and justification whether we as individuals believe it or not."

Southend West MP Anna Firth has campaigned against bank closures across the city.

She said: "I welcome the news that Barclay’s will be maintaining a presence in Southend, which will come as a relief to the many elderly people and the businesses and charities who rely on in person banking.

"But this is not the ideal solution, as this hub will only be open for a short part of each week. I am campaigning for a multi-bank community banking hub, which would be open all week.

"There is a brilliant local example of these in Rochford, and I am continuing to fight for a branch here in Southend.”

A spokesman for Barclays said: “We are delighted to announce we will be opening a new Barclays location in the community in Leigh.

“We look forward to seeing you there and will post some links nearer to the launch date to book appointments and let you know some of the things we can help with.“