Burntwood left without a bank as Barclays closes two years after it was robbed of £15k

Barclays at Sankey’s Corner in Cannock Road will close on June 8 because not enough people are using it.

But residents claim there often queues in the branch and that it is still popular with many taking to social media to complain.

The bank hit the headlines in 2016 when masked raiders used a circular saw to crack open a metal box and steal £15,000 from the bank's security guard.

Ghost town

One resident, Carolyne Williams, commented: “We are becoming a ghost town? No thought for young families and the older generation.”

Shellie Shakespeare also posted online: “How can they be shutting this branch when there is always a queue in there! I use it all the time.”

Jason Clarke, Community Banking Director for Barclays said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

"At Barclays Chase Terrace branch, customer usage has continued to fall (17 per cent in the last two years) and 54 per cent of our customers now regularly use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close it.

"We hope that the availability of our nearest Barclays branches in Cannock and Lichfield as well as access to services at the local Post Office at 5 Cannock Road, Chase Terrace, along with our range of digital channels will help to ease the transition for our customers.”

A letter to residents from Barclays said: “The decision to close a branch is never an easy one; however, we are finding that fewer customers are using the branch to do their everyday banking.

“Taking into consideration the alternative ways to bank that are available in the area, we have made the decision to close the branch.”

The nearest alternative Barclays branch will be 1.5miles away at Market Place in Cannock which would take 14 minutes to drive and half an hour via public transport.

Leader of Burntwood Town Council Doug Pullen said he is ‘disappointed’ but has assured residents he will ensure Barclays implements the Access to Banking Protocol. This makes sure that main high street banks work with customers and communities to minimise the impact of bank closures by ensuring residents get notice, know of alternative places to bank and have information to use internet or mobile banking.

Dissapointing

He said: “While the nature of banking has clearly changed dramatically over the last decade, it remains disappointing that Barclays have made the decision to close their branch at Sankey’s Corner while so many families and businesses are moving into the town.

“I have instructed our town clerk to convene a meeting with Barclays to explore any opportunities as well as to ensure that the Access to Banking Protocol is being fully implemented to ensure continuity of banking for individuals and small businesses. As a council, we remain committed to developing and investing in a retail offering for Burntwood, and are working closely with multiple partners to create a thriving town centre.” In November 2016, they were the victim of a £15,000 raid by five men who were jailed for a combination of 50 years.

Barclays stated they would be in contact with members of the local community in the coming weeks to understand their concerns about when the bank closes.

HSBC shut its branch in Burntwood, also on Sankey’s Corner last year and Halifax used to be on Lichfield Road before its closure. Other big names have also pulled out over the years.