BUSINESSES and residents in Alresford have criticised plans by Barclays Bank to close its branch in the town.

Barclays wrote a letter to customers who use the branch in East Street, saying it would be closing its doors on November 6, Michael Carr writes.

The closure has shocked business owners in the area who are concerned that the town will only have Lloyds Bank left, as Natwest also closed this year.

Simon Evans, chairman of Alresford Chamber of Trade, said: “If Barclays does close, that will leave us with one bank which is not sufficient for a town of more than 5,000 people. Banking facilities are fundamental, there needs to be a service provided.

“It makes it a slightly less viable to do business and it does mean that businesses that might want to relocate here see it as a reason not to come here.

It makes it harder to do business and business should be made easier, not harder.”

Residents and businesses in the town have launched a petition the area, in a bid to make bosses at Barclays change their mind.

County councillor Jackie Porter is calling for a rethink and says that people feel ‘let down’ as they were told the branch would stay open when they moved from Natwest, she added that the closure will affect the amount of cash available in the town.

Cllr Porter said: “The town of Alresford will not have as much cash flowing around it and I think that is very serious. It sends out a massage saying that the town is not open for business.”

Dave Bassnet, owner of Dave’s Fish and Chips and Alresford Haircare, both on West Street, said: “I think it is disgusting what Barclays are doing. Natwest closed at the start of the year and a lot of customers moved from there to Barclays and were told clearly that Barclays would not be closing. To go back on that has left a sour taste.”

Barclays spokesman Donna Hagan said the closure was largely due to falling number of customers, and also cited online and mobile banking as a reason to close the branch.

She did not say how many jobs could be lost but added that staff at the branch have been consulted and will be given the chance to work at Barclays branch nearby.

Ms Hagan said: “At Barclays Alresford branch, customer usage has declined since 2008 by 47% and 45% of customers now regularly use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close the branch on Friday November 6.

“All of 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 may have.

“We will be proactively engaging with local businesses and the wider community to discuss the alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally, before the branch closes on Friday November 6 2015.”