CUSTOMERS say they have been left in the lurch after Barclays announced it was closing its Hockley branch, the last bank in the town.

The banking giant claims it is closing the branch on Friday, October 9, because the number of customers has fallen by 51 per cent in seven years.

However, residents say they rely on the bank and don’t use online banking.

Residents will now have to travel up to three miles to Rayleigh or Rochford to get their money when the bank shuts.

Tim Gleadall, 68, former chairman of Hockley Parish Council and a member of Hockley Residents’ Association, said: “We don’t want this bank closed.

Hockley has an ageing population who don’t use online banking and for them to go to Rayleigh or Rochford is very difficult.

“For those living around Plumberow Avenue it’s a threemile journey by bus, but there is no public transport to the Hockley bus stops, so they have to get there first. It is going to affect businesses and traders. If people go elsewhere, they will probably shop there.”

Mr Gleadall, who lives in Wood End, added: “I was talking to someone in a Rayleigh bank who said they hardly get any young people in there any more. They all do online banking, that’s why the branches are closing.”

Shirley Jones, 85, of Station Approach, Hockley, said: “It’s the elderly people and the shopkeepers who will be affected. They are being let down by the banks.

So many people rely on them.

“I go every week to the bank and will have to hope the Post Office will be able to cope with the demand.”

Jeff Stanton, owner of Waters and Stanton radio, TV and video store, and a member of Hockley Chamber of Trade, said: “Despite objections from residents and the chamber of trade, they are closing the branch and there will be no ATM. It is not good for shops. We will lose customers.

“We will have to go in to Rochford or Rayleigh to bank.

The Post Office will offer some services, but not all. We used to have four banks. That branch of Barclays is always busy and the ATM is in use 24 hours a day.”

 

ONLINE BANKING BLAMED FOR BRANCH'S SHUTDOWN

BARCLAYS confirmed the increased use of online banking was behind the closure.

Andrew Fletcher, Barclays community leader for Essex, said: “People increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices. We must evolve the shape and size of our branch network in response to changing customer behaviour. At Hockley, customer usage has fallen by 51 per cent since 2008 and 65 per cent of customers now use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close the branch.

“Our colleagues have been consulted about the change and will be given the opportunity to work at a nearby branch. We hope the availability of branches at Rayleigh, Rochford and Southend, access to services at the Post Office and our digital channels will help ease the transition.

We do not take the decision to close any branch lightly.

All our customers will receive a letter, posters will be displayed in branch and colleagues will be on hand to assist customers with any concerns they have.

“We will be engaging with businesses and the community to discuss alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally, before the branch closes.”