BANK customers in Tameside will be dealt a blow in the New Year with the closure of yet another high street branch.
The TSB on Ashton Road in Denton will shut its doors for good on May 17, following a number of other facilities to disappear.
And the town’s MP, Andrew Gwynne, has hit out at the decision, which is part of a national scheme to close 70.
He said: “I’m very disappointed that TSB have taken the decision to close this branch.
“I understand that the number of customers banking in-person has decreased, but I feel very strongly that the presence of a local bank is important for customers and residents right across the community.
“This decision will leave just one bank in Denton town centre.
“We are progressively losing access to in-person banking, and I’m concerned about the effect that this will have on those who don’t have access to online banking, or just prefer to see someone
face-to-face.
“Banks are important parts of our local high streets, and I would implore TSB to reconsider this short-sighted decision.”
Documents issued about branch closures revealed TSB’s reasoning. Put simply, online is taking over.
They say: “The way customers bank with us is rapidly evolving with the vast majority of everyday transactions now being done digitally.
“Over 2.1 million of our customers now choose to bank online and over 1.3 million use our Mobile Banking App.
“Even prior to Covid-19 customers were choosing other ways to bank with us, with 50 per cent using services at our cash machines and 20 per cent using a Post Office.
“Over 190,000 customers have been supported through our new online chat service, helping them with queries and other services.
“67 per cent of all our customers are now using mobile, online or telephone banking.”
Robin Bulloch, from TSB, said: “Closing branches is an incredibly difficult decision to take. These changes allow us to maintain an extensive branch presence across the country.
“They are accompanied by a significant investment programme to upgrade branches to better suit customer needs. And, where it takes longer to get to the nearest branch, we will introduce more ‘pop-up’ services in communities.”