Fury over closure of Bedale and Leyburn Barclays branches

Barclays' announcement that it is closing its branches in Bedale and Leyburn means both towns and surrounding areas will be left without banks. Coming on top of the loss of HSBC at Hawes five years ago, it means there are no banks throughout Wensleydale and the upper dales.

The loss of the Bedale branch has been branded the "last nail in the coffin" for local banking service after many customers were encouraged to swap there following the closure of other banks in the town. Barclays' argument that the closures are due to continuing reductions in visits has been rejected, and people are being urged to take their business elsewhere.

Hambleton district councillor for Bedale, councillor John Noone said: "This is the last nail in the coffin of banking services locally. We were led to believe when the other banks in Bedale shut their doors we would be serviced by the last remaining one, if only part time. I do not accept this ludicrous figure of 17 remaining customers at the Bedale branch.

"They are doing the usual smoke and mirrors to adjust the figures to suit themselves. I presume they expect the local Post Office to take up the slack, how long that service will survive remains to be seen. More trips to Northallerton which means more car journeys, more effect on the environment. All in all, a total let down for Bedale and Leyburn. I hope people will vote with their feet and take the business elsewhere."

Mayor of Bedale, councillor Amanda Coates said: "Despite changing to Barclays I like many others feel let down by the bank and will most definitely be taking future business elsewhere."

Read more: Barclays promise to keep presence despite Bedale and Leyburn closures

Leader of North Yorkshire County Council and local businessman, councillor Carl Les described the news as "hugely disappointing, and a very retrograde step".

"Customer loyalty does not seem to count for anything now," he said. "I have been a Midland Bank /HSBC customer all my life, starting with a chrome plated money box to save pocket money and grandma's birthday gift in, which only the bank manager Mr Bayliss had the key for. He regularly opened it, counted it with you, and put the money in your savings account. It might sound twee but it built a customer relationship that lasted for years.

"When Bedale closed I had to go to Northallerton, now it's on to Thirsk and Ripon but for how long? The banks could have cooperated in keeping a banking hall open, sharing expenses, but still competing for customers. Banks make enough money in trading activities to subsidise high street retailing branches."

A Bedale shop owner said: "This is another blow and more reason for people not to come into the town. I regularly go into Barclays bank and it is nearly always busy, I have had to turn round and come out because the queue is so long, it is nonsense for them to say they only have 17 regular customers.

"It is a backward step and it is elderly people who will suffer because they are the ones who really want to go to a bank where they can talk to a person and not be palmed off with an online chat or go through their phone."

Hawes councillor Jill MCMullon said:" There will be no bank at all in the Dales. For a predominately ageing population this is just yet another blow and demonstrates the complete lack of understanding or care by these institutions. The excuse of online banking for all doesn't hold water as there are many areas with poor or no connection and we rightly feel both forgotten and disregarded."

Leyburn councillor Karin Sedgwick added: "They do stress that they will have an alternative physical presence in a community location but do not state whereabouts. Also they underlined their commitment to supporting vulnerable customers. It is worrying but sadly the figures showing a 53 per cent reduction in transactions in the last 12 months, show that this is a sign of the times."