A senior Suffolk clergyman has called on banks to 'think of all their customers including those who are not online' amid concerns about the closure of branches across the county.
The Rt Rev Martin Seeley, Bishop of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, was also worried about the slow pace of progress on creating bank hubs, which are set to replace the closed banks.
There have been a spate of bank closures in the county in recent months, with Barclays closing branches in Framlingham and Woodbridge, while the Southwold outlet closed last year.
READ MORE: Petition to save the Leiston branch has been signed by 71
On Monday, the EADT revealed how a petition had been launched to try and save the Leiston branch of Barclays after the bank announced it would be closing on May 17.
Earlier this week, Bishop Martin's Church of England counterpart, the Rt Rev Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, also expressed concern about the slow rollout of the hubs, which are designed to enable banks to share facilities and provide a 'community banker'.
He said vulnerable people, the digitally excluded and charities would still need to visit a bank in person.
READ MORE: Woodbridge banking hub proposal is refused by LINK
Bishop Martin said: “I share the Bishop of Norwich’s concern about the slow progress on bank hubs.
“There is a sorry presumption by so many services that everyone can work easily online, which we know is simply not the case.
READ MORE: Leiston news
“I would urge our banks to think of all of their customers and especially those who are not online and those individuals and charities who rely on conducting banking and other business face to face.
“Hubs are an important part of the solution and creative cooperation with Post Offices and community agencies including churches will help alleviate the concerns many experience by not being able to go to their own bank.”
A protest rally calling for the Leiston branch of Barclays Bank to be saved is being staged by the Liberal Democrats this Saturday from 9.30am for one hour.
READ MORE: Suffolk news
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