John Kendall laments loss of Barclays bank branch in Mildenhall after closure

The loss of a Suffolk town’s sole remaining bank will be a ‘big inconvenience’ for residents, the owner of the building has said.

In a public document, it was recently announced that the Barclays branch on the High Street in Mildenhall would close its doors on Wednesday, June 14.

John Kendall, 74, of Tuddenham, has owned the building in the town for over seven years and said he was sad to see the bank leave the area.

“Well it’s a real shame to be honest. It’s a shame that a lot of the small banks are closing and it’s not just this one,” said Mr Kendall.

“I didn’t want to see it go and it’s honestly a big inconvenience for a lot of people.

“A lot of people who I have met in the bank have expressed disappointment that it has closed, which I can definitely understand.”

It was announced in March that the branch would close, shortly after the decision was made to close another Barclays branch in Newmarket.

In June 2021, it was also confirmed that the Lloyds branch, in Mildenhall High Street, would be closing.

Mr Kendall, who regularly uses the Mildenhall branch, will now travel to Bury St Edmunds to use the Barclays bank there instead.

He said: “Barclays and I get on well together and we’ve had a good relationship.

“Since it’s been public knowledge that the bank is going to close, I’ve had a lot of interest from outside people who want to know what I’m going to do with it.

“So it’s not all bad news as it is a nice building and it will be used for something else I’m sure.”

A statement from the The National Federation of SubPostmasters said that the closure would doubtless be disappointing for residents but they want to make people aware of alternatives to banking at this branch, via the nearby post offices.

It said: ”Alternative banking provision is available to local residents at post office branches nearby.

“Each of these branches offers banking services - including deposits, free cash withdrawals and balance checks, face-to-face access to government services, bill payment, foreign currency, travel insurance and postal services”

The nearest post offices to the Barclays branch on the High Street are:

Mildenhall PO, King Street, Mildenhall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 7EZ

St Johns Close PO, St Johns Close, Mildenhall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 7NX

Lakenheath, 42 High Street, Lakenheath, Brandon, Suffolk, IP27 9DR