Forum Topic

Barclays Putney to Close

We received a letter today informing us that Barclays Putney will close on Friday, 1st September at 12.00 pm.  Very sorry to learn of this.

Martine Guy ● 744d21 Comments

I dont think there is any bank now in Roehampton, except in the university, or in Southfields? At least there are still NatWest and Metro in Putney - for now!

Jane Carter ● 725d

This is such a shame.  It doesn't seem long since there was also a Barclays Bank in the Upper Richmond Road just neat the High Street, and also in Roehampton.

David Beeney ● 725d

Acton's new Banking Hub (the first in London) is now officially open!https://ealing.news/news/moneysavingexpert-com-founder-martin-lewis-comes-to-acton-to-officially-open-the-banking-hub/

Philippa Bond ● 730d

Chatting to a friend outside Barclays today and she said how angry she was about the Putney Branch closing.  Evidently they are saying the branch isn’t busy enough, but whilst we were stood there, there were a lot of people going into the bank.  I rarely go in and find it empty, sometimes I hear people say they have visited Putney because their own local branch has closed. Has our MP said anything yet about the proposed Putney Branch closure?

Martine Guy ● 730d

Give yourself a rest for gods sake.

Barbara Stevens ● 737d

I remember having to make an appointment because they were sharing managers and nobody in the branch could make some decisions/organise some business.You may also have to consider and make sure that there is an accessible room to have your meeting - as a little room at the top of a building just with steps is a no-go for many.  It is bad enough the number of high street buildings that still do not have step-free or almost step-free access despite disability legislation.  And make sure you have all the ID required as it changes and gets stricter - or you will have all the palaver all over again.

Philippa Bond ● 737d

We had to go to Nationwide at Wandsworth because Putney shut. We booked an appointment.

Barbara Stevens ● 737d

Andy, to be honest I'm not sure how any government can stop this, it's part of a business evolution. I would, however, agree it is part of the digital divide as not everyone is comfortable with online banking. Perhaps all any government can do is try and mitigate its effect during this evolution? I think a Labour government (even a LibDem or Green one!) might be more amenable to it's company, The Post Office, operating subsidised banking hubs in locations with no branch facilities or where banks won't set up a hub. To that end it is worth letting Fleur know your views; it is something a Labour government is more likely to be sympathetic to than the current one - and it could be seen as a vote winner to draw back voters who misguidedly moved away from them in previous elections? :-)

Michael Ixer ● 738d

But when the government changes then the next useless lot won't stop it either.

Andy Pike ● 738d

I'm not keen on all the bank closures, although I'm largely unaffected by it. However, it's surely a function of capitalism and at the last election the majority voted for a far right government that supports that model of society?

Michael Ixer ● 738d

Thanks, Barbara. In the letter, we received from Barclays about the closure, it says: ”We’re keen to hear what you think.  We’ll be speaking with customers, the local MP, council members,charities, community groups and local businesses over the coming weeks ….” Fat lot of good any feedback will do.  It won’t stop them closing Putney branch. Why is this useless government allowing all these bank branches to be shut down?  

Martine Guy ● 738d

Martine, just come up on my fbook. Fleur Anderson is meeting with the Head of Barclays, if anybody wants to e-mail her.

Barbara Stevens ● 738d

Martine. I guess you start with your Councillors.  The problem has been that ALL the high street banks and Post Offices have been closing branches and it is becoming more and more difficult to find branches where you can deal with a person at a counter.  Not all transactions can be done online - although many can easily - and not all people are able or want to use online for everything.Age UK has also been involved with this and you will find info on banking websites re banking hubs.  https://hounslowherald.com/mp-welcomes-plans-for-acton-banking-hub-p15606-95.htm

Philippa Bond ● 742d

It's bad news for a high street as it is a reason for people needing to visit.https://news.sky.com/story/amp/barclays-and-lloyds-among-bank-branches-announcing-closures-12895107

Philippa Bond ● 742d

I think the closure of Barclays Putney will be a big loss to SW15.  Can our MP do something about this?  

Martine Guy ● 743d

Acton is hopefully due to get the first Banking Hub in London in June.  A lot of pressure by local people and the local MP Rupa Huq asking questions in Parliament went into getting this. It won't be the first in the UK just the first in London.  It is worse in a lot of the countryside with greater distances and no public transport.  It will be interesting to hear feedback on this when it actuslly happens.

Philippa Bond ● 743d

Yes Rose, so lovely to see the High Street growing in the wrong way. A bit of ivy here and a bit of ivy there. The triffids are tacking over. No shops too be seen in the High Street soon, what will we do. Order on line and keep sending things back because they don't fit. Like my other half ordered some cheap trainers for work, Size ten when they turned up in a little bag, they sent a childrens size 10.  What a laugh then you lose out on postage. You can't win.

Barbara Stevens ● 743d

However it will doubtless be left empty & boarded up for the next ten years.  With some plastic ivy stuck on it to catch the fumes and tumbleweed drifting by.

Rose Compton ● 743d

the Barclays site would be perfect for a large post office and banking emporium shared by HSBC, Barclays and any other banks.

Adam Tripp ● 744d

My letter directed me to either Fulham or Hammersmith.I am registered " Severely Sight Impaired"(= modern for Blind)

Lyn Clark ● 744d

Yet more hollowing out - large numbers of people have voted with their fingers for an on-line future and sod those unable to participate in their electronic world...neighbours eh!

Clifford Cowell ● 744d