MP Darren Paffey (Lab) has launched his own petition calling for a banking hub for Bitterne following the news last year that Lloyds and Halifax will also be closing their local branches in June.
Photo: supplied
Article continues after this message...
Paffey says he’s concerned that local people will find it difficult to access vital banking services as a result of these upcoming local branch closures.
As reported in November, the government has said it will open at least 350 hubs over the next five years, and 100 are already open.
The Southampton Itchen MP has asked for Bitterne to be considered as a priority location.
Earlier this year Paffey raised this issue directly with treasury minister James Murray. He expressed his concerns that the criteria used by Link to determine the location of Banking Hubs are too restrictive.
He said he will continue making the case for a Bitterne banking hub to government ministers and Link, and wants to use his new petition to “demonstrate the strength of local demand”.
An existing petition has already raised 596 signatures.
Last Thursday (April 10) he spoke to shoppers in Bitterne Precinct about the campaign.