Newmarket: Disappointment as Halifax and Barclays to close

Newmarket residents have expressed disappointment following the announcement that Halifax and Barclays will be closing their branches in the town.

The news that the two banks are to close their Newmarket branches follows an announcement by the Bank of England in December that the number of bank branches in the UK had fallen to its lowest level since the 1980s.

The closures, which will take effect in October, will leave Newmarket with just one bank, Lloyds Banking Group, and will mean that customers of Halifax and Barclays will have to travel to nearby towns to access their services.

The decision has been met with disappointment by many in the town, who feel that the closures will have a negative impact on the local economy as well as on customers who rely on the banks for their everyday banking needs.

Local councillor, Gary Blagbrough, said: “This is bad news for Newmarket, especially for those customers who rely on the banks for their everyday banking needs. It’s a sign of the times that banks are closing their branches and moving to online services, but the impact on local communities is real and it’s important that the banks are mindful of that.”

The closures come at a time when Newmarket is already facing a difficult economic situation, with the town’s high street suffering from increasing competition from online retailers.

The closures also come at a time when the Bank of England is encouraging banks to increase their physical presence in the UK’s high streets.

The news of the closures has been met with dismay by many in the town, who feel that the banks are not taking into account the needs of the local community.

One resident, Mark Jones, said: “It’s disappointing to see these banks leaving the town. It’s not good for the local economy and it’s not fair on the customers who rely on them for their banking needs. It’s a sign of the times that banks are closing their branches, but it’s important that they take into consideration the needs of the local community before making such decisions.”

The closures of the Halifax and Barclays branches in Newmarket will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the local economy, as well as on customers who rely on the banks for their everyday banking needs. It is hoped that the banks will take into account the needs of the local community before making any further decisions to close branches in the town.