Customers reminded services are still accessible despite closure of town bank

WITH the Santander branch in Hinckley now closed, customers with the bank are being reminded they can still access services in the town’s post offices.

The closure of the Castle Street branch, right, was announced in March to the disappointment of clients and councillors in the area.

But customers can still manage deposits, cash withdrawals and balance checks at the local post offices, in WH Smith on Castle Street, in the shop on the corner of Derby Road and Alma Road, and on Coventry Road next to Londis.

You can also access pay bills, withdraw foreign currency and manage travel insurance at the post office branches.

Withdrawals can also be made for free from several cash machines available at other banks on The Borough, Market Place and Castle Street.

The closure of Santander was criticised by Hinckley councillor David Bill, who wrote to bosses at the Spanish bank to object “in the strongest possible terms” to the move.

He said: “Being able to speak to someone, as opposed to trying to navigate a computerised system, cannot be overrated in my opinion and I have observed that many useful discussions often follow when making a transaction.

“The staff have always been friendly and helpful.” Halifax is also to close its branch in Hinckley later this year, prompting concerns from customers about the banking industry’s move to online banking and the lack of in-person services.

John Simpson, who has lived in the town for more than 30 years, said: “It will be very inconvenient when it closes. For the last 30 years, my wife has had her accounts with Halifax. We will have to change but we’re a bit unsure about the other banks.

“I’m 72 and I don’t like online banking, I much prefer to banking face-to-face, because you get interaction between the person who is serving you and yourself.”

Several residents said it would be a shame to lose the face-to-face service while other said they rarely see customers go into the branch.