Edward has met with senior Barclays managers at the local Thurmaston branch to object to its threatened closure by Braclays, and challenge them over their reasons and what alternative services for local people they will provide if they press ahead with their closure plans.
Commenting, Edward said: "This branch, like many small bank branches, plays a hugely important role in the life of Thurmaston, providing a friendly welcome and vital banking services to local businesses, and to local, often elderly, people. While I fear Barclays may have already made its mind up, the planned closure of this branch is in my view a badly thought-out and short-sighted decision.
The branch is well-used, and the nearest alternative branches in Syston or Leicester are a long distance away. I was grateful to Barclays managers for meeting me, but left them in no doubt how strongly I, and local people, feel about these plans, and call on them to pause and think again."