In a significant development, Rishi Sunak has reached out to Barclays concerning the recent closure of its community banking branch in Leyburn. This closure stems from a breakdown in negotiations between Barclays and the Leyburn Town Council over the terms of a renewed agreement for utilising council premises at Thornborough Hall for banking services. The service was initially established following the closure of Barclays' branch in Leyburn town centre in 2023.
Richard Sanderson, the chairman of Leyburn Town Council, has voiced his concerns, stating that Barclays imposed conditions that the council found unreasonable. Among these stipulations, the bank insisted that a member of the town council’s staff must be present whenever Barclays employees were on site. Additionally, Barclays required a notice period of five days if the office needed to be left unattended, even briefly, for essential duties such as playground inspections or unexpected staff absences.
Cllr Sanderson expressed disappointment over the situation, noting that the council had made earnest attempts to negotiate a workable compromise to keep the service operational. However, he lamented that Barclays remained steadfast in its demands, leaving the council with no option but to accept the closure.
"Unfortunately, Barclays has been extremely unhelpful regarding their contract renewal with Leyburn Town Council," he remarked. "We have endeavoured to find a reasonable compromise, but Barclays has shown an inflexible stance, insisting on terms that we cannot accept. Consequently, the office has had to close, which is a considerable loss for our community, one that we have strived to prevent, but Barclays simply would not budge."
In light of the community's distress over the loss of this vital service, a spokesperson for Mr Sunak indicated that the MP is acutely aware of local frustrations and has taken action by contacting Barclays about the issue.
"Rishi is cognisant of and understands the concerns raised by the community," the spokesperson stated. "He has formally written to Barclays to address the matter."
Despite these efforts, Barclays has yet to respond to inquiries from the Local Democracy Reporting Service regarding the situation. The closure of the branch not only reflects the challenges faced by local councils in negotiating terms with large banking institutions but also underscores the broader implications for community access to essential services.
As the situation unfolds, the Leyburn Town Council and its constituents remain hopeful for a resolution that could restore banking services to the community, while Rishi Sunak’s involvement highlights the importance of local representation in addressing such critical issues. The ongoing dialogue between the council and Barclays will be crucial in determining the future of banking access in Leyburn, and the community awaits further developments with bated breath.
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