The last year has seen a slew of bank closures across the constituency, impacting constituents who rely on in-person banking.
With the announcement of each closure, Munira has been proactively meeting with bank officials to raise the questions and concerns of Twickenham constituents. Unfortunately, there is little room to influence these closures, as they are a commercial decision made as a result of the dramatic decline in the number of customers using in-person banking. However, Munira has continued to raise the concerns of constituents impacted by these closures.
“With the closure of most of our banks in Twickenham and Whitton, we’ve been left in a veritable banking desert,” says Munira. “I know these closures are particularly difficult for the elderly, those with disabilities, and others who prefer in-person banking.”
Some banks are exploring other ways to offer banking services within the community, including at community centres and libraries. Barclays, for example, is trialling a series of community banking hubs in order to provide more flexible options for in-person banking.
On Thursday, Munira met with representatives from Barclays at their hub at Whitton Library – one of two hubs in Twickenham and Whitton. People can pop in or book an appointment through Barclays.co.uk/local.
- Barclays Local Whitton – The Library, 141 Nelson Road, Whitton TW2 7BB. Thursdays 9.30am – 4.30pm
- Barclays Local Twickenham – Room 735, Regus, Regal House, 70 London Road, Twickenham TW1 3QS – Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9.30am – 4.30pm
HSBC are also investigating options for community hubs in the area, and Munira has encouraged Lloyds Bank to consider a similar hub.
Apart from the meetings Munira has convened with the banks themselves, she has also arranged a meeting with representatives from LINK, which provides communities with access to cash through services such as cashback at retailers’ tills and Banking Hubs, to explore options in the constituency.