BASILDON and Billericay MP John Baron has been working hard to try and ensure that bank services in the towns are not eroded further.

Mr Baron met recently with Franz McCoy, Santander Bank's area director and Ani Cara, the company's public affairs and public policy manager to discuss changes to branch opening hours at their Billericay and Basildon branches.

The bank has decided to reduce opening hours at both branches from 9.30am to 3pm on weekdays and until 12.30pm on Saturdays. Between 3pm and 5pm staff will be on site for appointments and the assist their national call centre team in answering telephone banking enquiries.

Following the recent decisions by HSBC UK, Natwest and Barclays to close their branches on Billericay High Street, Mr Baron is speaking with local banks to ensure that the local area remains well served by banking facilities.

He said: "While it is disappointing that Santander is reducing its branch opening times, I am pleased it is maintaining a branch presence in the High Street and congratulate them on doing this. We have agreed to monitor the situation and promised to keep in touch."

Mr McCoy said: "We are pleased to have had the opportunity to discuss the changes to our branch opening hours with John Baron MP. We have seen a continuing reduction in branch usage over several years, with many customers preferring to transact with us digitally or contact us by phone. The following changes help make sure we have the right mix of channels to help our customers however they choose to bank with us."