Residents disappointed with closure of Barclays bank in Cheam (From Sutton Guardian)

Residents disappointed with closure of Barclays bank in Cheam

11:18am Friday 26th October 2012 in News By Victoria Bull

A decision by Barclays to close their Cheam bank branch has left elderly residents disappointed and concerned they will no longer have convenient access to services they rely on.

John Golding, 86, expressed his worries about the closure after he was sent a letter from Barclays in August stating that the Mulgrave Road store would put up its shutters in November.

Although the bank’s Sutton branch is only a mile away from its Cheam counterpart, the pensioner said banking would be harder for those who do not drive and cannot use the internet.

Mr Golding, of Villier’s Grove, Cheam, said: "My wife and I have been going there, probably twice a week, for more than 40 years.

"The staff are fantastic, knowledgeable and always really helpful to someone of my age."

Although Barclays said they were sorry to be closing Mr Golding’s local branch, they blamed depleting custom for the decision.

A spokesman for the bank said: "Barclays is committed to our branch network in the UK and to ensuring that it best reflects the needs of our customers, with branches where they need and use them.

"Unfortunately, Cheam branch has low and declining customer numbers and it is therefore unsustainable to keep this branch open."

Mr Golding, who has signed a petition to save the Mulgrave Road outlet, said: "It is a shame that our thriving village is going to be abandoned by Barclays.

"Surely in these difficult times the bank should be staying close to its real customers? Now is the time for them to help local communities recover from the deep recession they have caused."

The last day of business for Barclays Cheam will be Friday, November 30.

From then on residents can carry out their everyday banking needs at the Post Office at 48 Upper Mulgrave Road, Cheam, and visit other Barclays branches in Sutton’s High Street and North Cheam.