Hinckley Lib Dem Councillor slams plan to close town's Santander bank

A councillor has hit out at plans to close the Santander bank in Hinckley Town Centre saying it is a "most-valued facility".

The Castle Street branch is set to shut in July as part of plans to close 111 Santanders by the end of August, after the coronavirus restrictions accelerated a shift towards mobile and online banking.

Hinckley borough and county councillor David Bill has written to bosses at the Spanish bank to object "in the strongest possible terms" to the proposed closure, urging them to reconsider.

Coun Bill, who himself is a customer with the bank, said: "Being able to speak to someone, as opposed to trying to navigate a computerised system, cannot be overrated in my opinion and I have observed that many useful discussions often follow when making a transaction."The staff have always been friendly and helpful.

"I cannot understand why you are proposing this course of action, as on many occasions during the pandemic the branch is so busy that a queue forms outside.

"There will be resentment about having to travel to Nuneaton as transport is not that easy for everyone."The Hinckley Santander branch was previously home to Alliance and Leicester, and before that to Leicester Permanent Building Society.Coun Bill also said in his letter: "We are fighting to save our town centre and this is yet another body blow.

"We will fight on, but I have to say how much I personally resent this decision. I urge you to think again."