Disappointment after Shropshire's only Santander agency closes its doors

The agency on Cheshire Street in Market Drayton shut down yesterday after the company revealed it would be one of 139 branches run by other firms to close.

But people have since reacted angrily to the closure saying it makes no sense and will cause a lot of issues for customers.

Customers in Market Drayton will now have to travel 15 miles to Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire to visit their nearest branch.

An agency is a branch of the bank run under the Santander name by another firm.

Other banks with branches in the town include HSBC, Barclays and Lloyds.

Councillor Tim Beckett, mayor of Market Drayton, said: "It is a disappointing day as after opening a new shop Friday we then lose a business the following week.

"Our 10K run committee bank at Santander and every time I went in there it was busy with customers.

"A lot of these customers were elderly people who probably don't have access to transport or internet who now are in a predicament as they can no longer walk into their local branch or access their account via the internet as they don't have or don't understand technology.

"These large businesses need to look at customer service as opposed to looking at making large profits as at the end of the day that's the reason they shut Market Drayton and not for it not being used.

"We also have some local people that have lost their jobs as a result of the closure."

Mark Whittle, chairman of Market Drayton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "It is quite unfortunate, because a lot of people have moved their accounts to Santander, and now there is no local outlet.

"Without having it there, I think it is going to cause a lot of problems.

"Also, I think that we need a bank or building society to replace it, because we need the choice and the options between them.

"I think the staff at the bank actually did a great job there and it is just unfortunate that they are one of the ones to get the cut."

The owner, Chris Purcell, who also runs accountancy firm Purcell Investments in the same building is looking at turning the downstairs into a financial services area for his business.

Santander customer Ron Lucas, of Betton, near Market Drayton, said: "Santander Bank is closing its Market Drayton agency amidst great consternation amongst its customers who have received excellent service from Chris Purcell Accountancy Services which has held the agency since the Halifax departed some three or four years ago.

"We shall have to travel to Newcastle-under-Lyme to obtain personal service unless we close our account with Santander.

"Where is the sense of this? What about our carbon footprint?"

Steve Pateman, head of UK banking at Santander, said: "Santander has come a long way from when it was a collection of three building societies.

"Consolidating our operations is a vital next step for Santander, allowing us to concentrate on further enhancements and investment in, our proprietary branch network, including branch openings and refurbishments."