”Banks have a duty to our communities” says Delyn MS after Barclays announces Flint branch closure

Delyn MS Hannah Blythyn is calling on Barclays bank to reconsider their decision to close their Flint Branch in April 2021. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In letters delivered last week, customers were told that the Flint Branch will permanently close its doors from 30 April 2021, meaning the nearest branch will be over 6 miles away in Mold town centre. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

They previously closed their Holywell branch, resulting in residents and business having to access services in Flint instead. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Barclays have also announced that they will be closing their Prestatyn branch, affecting customers living in areas such as Ffynnongroyw, Talacre and Gronant. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

On hearing the decision Member of the Senedd for Delyn, Hannah Blythyn, has contacted Barclays to request an urgent meeting to discuss their decision, and ensure the voice of the community is heard. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Speaking on the decision, Ms Blythyn said: “If Barclays plough ahead with this decision, then it will be the community who truly feel the impact.  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The way in which we bank does continue to change, however there are many people who are only able to access services in a traditional way.  ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

I believe the banks have a duty to both support their loyal customers and our communities, high streets and town centres.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

 The Delyn MS is looking to hear from Barclays customers in, and around, Flint about how the decision will impact them. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Views on what changes customers will have to make to the way they access banking services, including transport options and how frequently they visit a bank, are particularly welcome. Views can be shared via email at Hannah.Blythyn@senedd.wales or on 01352 762102. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Ms Blythyn added: “I am particularly concerned that a number of more vulnerable or elderly customers, will be forced to travel such a distance to the nearest branch, especially when public transport may be the only option available to them. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

I also feel for the staff of the Flint Branch who will be directly impacted by this decision and want to offer my support to them.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

 Should the decision go ahead, only one bank will remain in Flint Town Centre. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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