Following the recent closure of Barclays and Lloyds TSB, hundreds of residents from Harrow and Ealing have now signed the petition for a ‘Bank Hub’ in South Harrow. The campaign, led by Harrow and Ealing MPs, Gareth Thomas and James Murray, with support from the South Harrow Traders Association has attracted support from hundreds of residents alongside local businesses.

The campaign follows the launch of the Acton bank hub, which was the first of its kind in London, offering a service for Community bankers to work on rotation, with a different provider available on each day of the week. The banks on rotation at the Acton Hub include: Natwest, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Nationwide and Santander.

Following the closure of Barclays in South Harrow, the branch committed to Gareth Thomas MP that they will continue to have a presence at Pentax House, Northolt Road, South Harrow, HA2 0DU on Thursdays but the Harrow West MP has written to Barclays to ask for their support to serve customers again from a Bank Hub.

Analysis from the House of Commons Library has shown that the number of bank branches in Harrow have halved since 2010 with branches no longer existent across the South Harrow, Northolt, Rayners Lane and Sudbury areas.

Residents, business owners, and organisations interested in supporting the campaign for a new bank hub are encouraged to sign the petition at: https://www.gareththomas.org.uk/my_campaigns/2023/06/27/south-harrow-bank-hub- campaign/. The MPs have met with many residents and local businesses to gather input and insight on the local cash-dependence of local retailers, as well as the impact on residents, to ensure that the proposed bank truly reflects the needs of the community.

Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West said:

“Lloyds and Barclays were the last remaining national bank branches in South Harrow and

their closures will marginalise a significant number of people in this community.

Hundreds of residents have signed my petition because they actively chose to bank at four of the big banks that have now left South Harrow and don’t want to wait in huge queues in the Town Centre. A bank hub provides an opportunity for all residents to get in touch.

James Murray, MP for Ealing North said:

“As more and more services go online, we must not forget about people and businesses who still need face-to-face banking services.

“Many of the people I represent in Northolt and North Greenford relied on bank branches in South Harrow, and I know a new banking hub would make a big difference to them.”

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