Residents branch out in bank rescue bid

More than 250 people have signed a petition to keep the Yorkshire Bank branch in Middleton Park Circus, Middleton, the loss of which would leave the south Leeds estate without its own bank.

Elderly residents fear they will be left isolated without the branch as many struggle to use public transport because they have mobility scooters, while many more are lost when it comes to internet banking.

The firm, which has had a bank in Middleton for over 50 years, said that owing to a lease ending at its property and declining use the facility will close on June 20.

Petition organiser Carmela Walsh, 75, said: “If the bank can’t afford the lease then we have got no chance have we?

“I have no idea what I will do, none of us have any idea – it’s going to be hard without a bank.”

She said she met with the bank’s manager and has since sent the petition forms to Yorkshire Bank.

Dawn Austwick, chief officer at the Middleton Elderly Aid charity, said several people have visited its Middleton Park Road shop concerned about the closure but they were willing to help them adjust.

Coun Kim Groves (Lab, Middleton Park) said: “It’s really disappointing as it’s always been a local service within easy reach for a very large population of people.

“It will leave a lot of people isolated from that one-on-one customer service and not all people have got the IT skills for online banking or the provision in their own homes.”

A Yorkshire Bank spokeswoman said: “Due to a combination of the lease expiring and declining use, we have recently given customers notice that our Middleton branch is to close and merge with Hunslet branch.

“We’ve advised customers of the alternatives available to them including the three branches which are within a three mile radius of Middleton.”