Closure of Middleton branch Santander raised in Parliament

The impending closure of the Middleton branch of Spanish bank Santander has been raised in Parliment by Liz McInnes, MP for Heywood & Middleton.

The banking group announced on 23 January that 150 nationwide closures will take place throughout 2019, with the Manchester New Road branch closing on 25 July.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125607/middleton-santander-branch-to-close-later-this-year

Ms McInnes says she received a letter from the banking group informing her that constituents who are customers of the bank can use the full range of banking services at the nearby post office on Manchester New Road, itself set to close and move into WH Smith.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/123102/middleton-post-office-to-close-next-year

Ms McInnes said: “I am extremely disappointed that Santander have announced they will be closing their Middleton branch this summer. The notification letter I received from them advises that customers can use the full range of banking services at the nearby post office on Manchester New Road instead – which would be helpful, apart from the fact that the Post Office is also planning to close and move into the back of WH Smith.

“Yesterday [23 Janaury 2019], I raised this directly with the Prime Minister in Parliament.

“I am deeply concerned about the impact that the loss of bank and post office branches has on customers and on our high streets and towns, and I will be making my feelings known to Santander.

“This makes it even more important that our post office stays where it is with a full range of services, and I would urge people to please sign my petition to save the post office.”

Sign the petition

• www.lizmcinnesmp.org.uk/campaigns/middletonpostoffice

Post Office Consultation

A consultation with Post Office will run until Wednesday 27 February, where residents can make their views known.

• Online at www.postofficeviews.co.uk 
• Send an email to comments@postoffice.co.uk
• Telephone: 03452 66 01 15
• Textphone: 03457 22 33 55
• Write to Post Office Ltd, Freepost Consultation Team (no stamp required).