Council plea to save Swaffham bank branch rejected

A Swaffham bank branch is still set to close this summer, despite a last-ditch plea from community leaders to reconsider.

Town councillors met Barclays bosses yet to make their case for the Market Place branch to be reprieved, amid growing anger over the proposed closure.

But the authority says managers were unmoved and the plan to shut the premises in late July remains in place, including the removal of its cash machine.

Town mayor Colin Houghton said: “We welcomed the opportunity to meet representatives from Barclays Bank, and a number of Councillors attended, raising issues and concerns regarding the need for closure and possible alternative ways of access.

"This is not the outcome that we wanted and is disappointing news for Barclays customers living in Swaffham.”

The meeting took place after local church leader Canon Stuart Nairn accused the banking giant of having a "total disregard" for their customers.

Although he said customers routinely had to queue for service in the Swaffham branch, Barclays says falling footfall, with only 208 people exclusively using the branch for banking services, is to blame for the closure decision.

Mr Houghton said bank bosses had pledged to help customers access electronic banking methods, and would provide training.