CUSTOMERS of Barclays Bank, which has just three branches left in Thurrock after a series of closures, have spoken of their annoyance after the company announced it is to cut counter opening times.

From 7 September Barclays has announced that its counters will only be open from 10am to 3pm, cutting an hour off opening times in the mornings.

The news was delivered to customers via A-boards planted outside the branches.

In Corringham, where in recent weeks bank users have had to queue for up to an hour to use the counter service, there was anger this morning (Tuesday, 18 August).

One customer told Thurrock Nub News: "It's disgraceful, the bank is using the cover of Covid to downgrade services even more. Already we have to queue outside to use the desk here. They have two but say they can only use one because of Covid because of the two metre distancing rule - but they have so much space inside the branch it's baffling to see why they can't just create temporary counters.

"It's clear the bank is just trying to drive customers online even more to save money. Yet businesses need this counter service to pay in and draw out - machines can't handle it. I had to queue outside last week for over an hour with almost £3,000 in notes and change in a bag. It's disgusting but the problem is these banks all have us trapped - where else can we go?

"They don't give a damn about customer service. And to rub salt into it the staff have t-shirts on saying 'Win with Barclays' - you couldn't make it up."