Would the last bank to leave please turn out the lights.
It's hard to feign surprise at the pending closure of Rhuthun/Ruthin's Barclay's Bank branch. It's just one more in a string of such events that seems to have afflicted the nation—indeed, the UK. It follows the closure of Rhuthun's Nat West and yet, let's face it, life after the Nat West has gone on. It may be inconvenient and sometimes wet & cold to queue for the Nat West van at Tesco but there are alternatives such as depositing and withdrawing at the post office. Indeed, Huw Hilditch Roberts must be rubbing his hands with quite some considerable glee.
We live in a rural area and for Barclay's customers, as it is already for those of the Nat West, it will mean a 22-mile return journey to the nearest branch—and who knows whether and if these will last. It will inevitably take footfall away from Rhuthun. The closure will be felt by those who cannot or will not easily travel. The majority of us seem to prefer our banking in ways that no longer require a building. We might not like it but it's a fact. As with everything else—milk deliveries versus supermarkets, public telephone kiosks versus smartphones, and so on—can we halt progress for a dwindling minority?
Yet, this decision of Barclay's further reduces Rhuthun to little more than a large village. Over many years, we have seen services degrade. Where did the building societies go? What happened to the choice of clothes and shoe shops, now diminished. We once had at least one travel agent. There's not a cobbler or locksmith in sight. It's hard to find a shop anywhere near Rhuthun selling the humble CD or tackling the rejuvenated interest in vinyl.
Our lives are changing and will continue to do so. The old certainties have gone and with them the banks. Banks were the cornerstone of our high streets and our whole economic system.
Once, Ruthinains could buy new family cars in town (and I'm not just referring to Slater's: there was a choice). It's ironic that, today, we find ourselves ever more reliant on our motor cars yet we have no garage selling those mainstream vehicles. We're grateful to Redstone Cars for Subarus but these sell in a niche market with less than 0.2% market share. We have to venture to Ellesmere Port, Wrexham, Chester or Llandudno for main dealer choice and serving. Fortunately, though, we still have a Ford retail dealer at Pentre Llanrhaeadr. Go back long enough and we once had Ford in town.
Returning to the banks themselves, Rhuthun customers of the Nat West and Barclay's should now consider switching to the HSBC. At least, that way, we can try to safeguard the last standing bank in town. Otherwise, where would we be? There's a word of warning here, though, as HSB axed more of UK branches in 2017 than any other bank or building society, accounting for over 25 per cent of closures. We need to keep Rhuthun's HSBC building alive and its banking hall in use. And there are rumours that Barclay's accelerated its Rhuthun closure to ensure that it beat the HSBC to it—thus ensuring Barclay's was not the last bank standing.
Meanwhile, what is likely to become of Barclay's Exemewe House which, let's face it, would be difficult to convert to any other use. It may be something of a 1920s sham but it's in keeping, looks the part and, empty, it won't last for ever.
Barclay's Rhuthun closes on April 20th. Barclay's has given nearly three months' notice; Nat West gave over six
We live in a rural area and for Barclay's customers, as it is already for those of the Nat West, it will mean a 22-mile return journey to the nearest branch—and who knows whether and if these will last. It will inevitably take footfall away from Rhuthun. The closure will be felt by those who cannot or will not easily travel. The majority of us seem to prefer our banking in ways that no longer require a building. We might not like it but it's a fact. As with everything else—milk deliveries versus supermarkets, public telephone kiosks versus smartphones, and so on—can we halt progress for a dwindling minority?
Would the last bank to leave please turn out the lights... the Nat West finished six months ago but there's still a light on upstairs...
Yet, this decision of Barclay's further reduces Rhuthun to little more than a large village. Over many years, we have seen services degrade. Where did the building societies go? What happened to the choice of clothes and shoe shops, now diminished. We once had at least one travel agent. There's not a cobbler or locksmith in sight. It's hard to find a shop anywhere near Rhuthun selling the humble CD or tackling the rejuvenated interest in vinyl.
Our lives are changing and will continue to do so. The old certainties have gone and with them the banks. Banks were the cornerstone of our high streets and our whole economic system.
Once, Ruthinains could buy new family cars in town (and I'm not just referring to Slater's: there was a choice). It's ironic that, today, we find ourselves ever more reliant on our motor cars yet we have no garage selling those mainstream vehicles. We're grateful to Redstone Cars for Subarus but these sell in a niche market with less than 0.2% market share. We have to venture to Ellesmere Port, Wrexham, Chester or Llandudno for main dealer choice and serving. Fortunately, though, we still have a Ford retail dealer at Pentre Llanrhaeadr. Go back long enough and we once had Ford in town.
Returning to the banks themselves, Rhuthun customers of the Nat West and Barclay's should now consider switching to the HSBC. At least, that way, we can try to safeguard the last standing bank in town. Otherwise, where would we be? There's a word of warning here, though, as HSB axed more of UK branches in 2017 than any other bank or building society, accounting for over 25 per cent of closures. We need to keep Rhuthun's HSBC building alive and its banking hall in use. And there are rumours that Barclay's accelerated its Rhuthun closure to ensure that it beat the HSBC to it—thus ensuring Barclay's was not the last bank standing.
Meanwhile, what is likely to become of Barclay's Exemewe House which, let's face it, would be difficult to convert to any other use. It may be something of a 1920s sham but it's in keeping, looks the part and, empty, it won't last for ever.
Barclay's Rhuthun closes on April 20th. Barclay's has given nearly three months' notice; Nat West gave over six
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Banks