MP fears town will be a ‘banking desert’
WANSBECK MP Ian Lavery has called for a debate in the House of Commons on the impact of high street bank closures after TSB announced plans to close Bedlington’s last bank next May.
The TSB branch on Front Street was announced last week as one of 36 outlets to close across the country. The in Amble branch is also set to close.
Speaking in the House of Commons, the Ashington-born Labour MP criticised the decision to close the town’s last bank. It follows a similar situation in Alnwick, with Lloyds and Halifax both announcing plans to close in March.
Addressing Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, Mr Lavery said: “Yesterday, TSB announced 36 bank closures including the bank on Bedlington high street in my constituency.
“It will be the last bank closing its doors, making Bedlington basically a banking desert. I understand that lots of people now prefer telephone banking or internet banking but there is lots and lots of people, mainly vulnerable people, who depend on high street banks,” said Mr Lavery.
“This will have a huge impact on Bedlington. Will the Leader of the House join me in appealing demanding - on TSB to review their decision in Bedlington, and can we have a debate in this house to discuss the impact on towns like Bedlington because of these actions?”
Ms Mordaunt replied: “I am sorry to hear about the situation in my honourable friend’s constituency. It is in everyone’s interests, including the banks, that constituents have access to their services.
TSB has said that the way customers bank is “changing”, with more than 95% of transactions now made using mobile, online and other ways to bank as opposed to in branches. In Bedlington, just 13 personal customers and four business customers used the branch regularly. The nearest branch for residents is in Morpeth, while there is also a nearby post office that offers cash services.