FURNESS MP John Woodcock will chair a special public meeting in Ulverston tomorrow (Thursday) to discuss access to banking following Santander’s decision to close its New Market Street office.
In the wake of the announcement Mr Woodcock held talks with Santander senior management and sought assurances about support for the members of staff whose jobs are at risk.
Santander is the latest bank to uproot from Ulverston in recent years, following the departure of HSBC and NatWest.
The company is closing more than 100 branches across the UK with Santander saying more people are turning to online apps to do their banking, which has resulted in a greatly reduced footfall in its high street outlets.
Mr Woodcock said: “As bank after bank closes in Ulverston many people many are understandably worried about losing a valuable community lifeline from Ulverston.
“I have spoken to the company about how it plans to help vulnerable customers and what measures are being taken to support personnel who are facing redundancy. The departure of so many banks from the town makes our successful campaign to save the post office all the more important but we need a wider discussion about how we protect the services we need in the future.
“I hope as many people as possible will come along to make their voice heard.”
The meeting takes place in the Coronation Hall main auditorium from 1pm to 2.30pm.
Local stakeholders have been invited and the public is welcome to attend.
