Residents in Belleek are angry at Bank of Ireland UK’s announcement yesterday (Wednesday) that it is closing its branch in the village.
Belleek is one of the eight branches across Northern Ireland, including Castlederg, Belleek, Draperstown and Maghera, set to close in the autumn, affecting a total of 54 staff.
Main Street, Belleek – Photo by John McVitty, Impartial Reporter
A BOI spokesperson said the decision was made to close branches “where the volume of business is insufficient to sustain them in the long-term”.
A total of 54 staff will be affected, through transfers or voluntary redundancy.
The closures will take place on a phased basis starting in late autumn.The Financial Services Union (FSU) is understood to be challenging the closures.
Bridie Gormley, owner of the Black Cat Cove pub,said of the planned closure, “The people of Belleek will not take this lying down. We will fight this to the bitter end.”
Business people in Belleek have raised serious concerns for their security as the village looks set to be left without a bank
If the branch closes, the nearest banking facilities would be in Enniskillen, a 2-2.5 hour round trip and that raises security fears, she told BBC Newsline. “Not just for business people,.”she added, “Even for people with personal accounts, especially the elderly.”
“We are not going to take this lying down,” responded SDLP Councillor John Coyle. He is in the process of formulating an online and paper petition to gather signatures opposing the move. He said “the community is angry that this vital service is to be removed,” adding: “They say money can be lodged in the Post Office but the Post Office is already dealing with so many services in new locations within shops. Are they going to employ more people to deal with the queues of people which are already long at the best of times?
“It is unacceptable the pensioners and other people who require face-to-face banking are being deprived of this vital services. It’s totally unacceptable that they are expected to travel 50 miles to and from their nearest bank, a journey that could take around two hours. That’s too long and for businesses, it’s a big blow.
“Bank of Ireland want more people to bank online but there are so many not spots out here it’s diabolical. If I didn’t have satellite internet, I would be without a connection.”
Belleek Branch of Bank of Ireland on Main Street, which is earmarked to close.
Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Tom Elliott has encouraged locals to challenge the proposed closures. He stated: “I am deeply disappointed by the Bank of Ireland’s recent announcement that it intends to close its Belleek branch, the last remaining bank in town.
“At a time when families and businesses are recovering from one of the worst economic downturns in modern times, this move is not only unwelcome, but unwarranted – especially when the Bank of Ireland is expected to announce considerable profits at the end of the month. These are vital jobs and services that play an invaluable role in community life.
“Given the strategic location of Belleek, a town located on the border between Fermanagh and Donegal it is well placed to cater for a wide range of business from both sides of the border and its location is a considerable distance from the next closest branch, which is probably Enniskillen almost 25 miles away. The Bank really needs to re-consider this proposal.”
UUP Councillor Diana Armstrong described the closure as “yet another serious blow to the rural community of Erne North.” She added: “Centralisation of banking functions by the Bank of Ireland will engender much hardship for the community of Belleek and outlying areas and cause real economic damage to a tourist hub which accommodates the world famous Belleek Pottery.”
There will be now be no over the counter banking facilities for “the large numbers of tourists that visit the world famous Belleek Pottery and spend money in the area”, added UUP MLA Rosemary Barton, who will also engage with Bank of Ireland over the next few days regarding “this retrograde step.”
(Source – Impartial Reporter – Meadhbh Monahan – 21/07/2016)