Haltwhistle residents forced to make 18-mile round-trip to nearby bank

The claim was made by a business owner at a town hall meeting in Haltwhistle on Saturday, March 30, where Joe Morris, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for the Hexham constituency, heard from residents about issues affecting the area.

He spoke with local businesses about issues affecting their trade, the biggest issue being access to local banking facilities.

Joe Morris outside the closed Barclays bank in Haltwhistle (Image: Joe Morris)

Haltwhistle's Barclays branch closed on August 11 2023, while the Post Office closed 'temporarily' in January this year, following the resignation of the serving postmaster.

Luke Hutchinson, co-owner of Haltwhistle-based Northumberland Honey Co with his wife Suzie, said banking facilities are 'non-existent' in the town.

"The main issue is the cash side," he said. "Without having banks, we used to use the Post Office in Haltwhistle but because that's not there anymore we have to go to either Brampton or Haydon Bridge to pay cash in.

"If one of those were to close, that makes it almost impossible to get cash paid in."

Joe Morris visited Haltwhistle to speak to local businesses about the issues affecting their trade (Image: Joe Morris)

Haltwhistle to Haydon Bridge is approximately 9.1 miles via the A69 and Luke says it takes an hour out of their day to pay in cash.

If they were unable to travel, he said the only alternative would be to pay someone to pick cash up from their business.

In the eight years of owning Northumberland Honey, he said they have seen a drastic change in local banking facilities.

"When we first started in Haltwhistle, there was Barclays as well as the Post Office and in that time we've lost both of them. 

"We find people still like to pay in cash and use it for budgeting purposes, so it is still here and we're in a Catch-22 situation with it."

He added it would improve the situation even if there were just better facilities for businesses to pay in cash.

"From a community perspective, it's difficult. There are a lot of retired folk in Haltwhistle who wouldn't necessarily want to travel to do their banking provision. When there isn't a service open five days a week it limits their options."

Luke said he thinks the closures are down to banks wanting to "cut costs" rather than an indication of a decline in Haltwhistle's high street, which he says has a "very strong community spirit".

Mr Morris said: "With no easy access to banking, traders are suffering and pensioners are being forced to travel to Brampton or Haydon Bridge to use the Post Office.

"Under a Labour Government, we would champion banking hubs to give communities access to cash and businesses access to banking services. There is no reason that businesses in towns like Haltwhistle should be abandoned.

"It was great to meet with local people and speak to business owners today. Hearing their concerns is absolutely vital. Across this wonderful constituency, high streets are in decline."

Hexham MP Guy Opperman was contacted for comment.