Forum Topic

Isleworth news: Barclays Bank branch being closed down!

Once there was an Osterley branch in Thornbury Road as well as another one in Old Isleworth  and they both were closed down and are missed.Having used the London Road Isleworth branch for over 40 years..it was a shock to read  on a leaflet in the Branch today that it is closing down. We loyal customers are being asked to use the Hounslow High Street or Hounslow West branches! :(  :(That's the last straw for me. I'm moving my affairs elsewhere.Locals will have watched that shopping parade near Isleworth Station go gradually downhill... life on that pavement..once so proud...is now depressing. No more Fenns the Jewellers, or the Italian owners of the Bistro. Dunlops now taken over by a betting shop...one could say more!The Bank have probably had enough too!

Jim Lawes ● 4119d18 Comments

OopsWrong Barclays sorry.

Guy Lambert ● 4110d

Actually having a Sainsbury's there could have the opposite effect - by making the High St a bit more attractive to visit. The small shops thrive (or, anyway, survive) with a Morrison's 200 yards one way and a Costcutter 200 yards the other and a Greggs right slap bang in the middle of them.I presume this will be a Sainsbury's Local, though actually Brentford is now ringed by them with one at Kew Bridge and one on the A4 new estate.

Guy Lambert ● 4111d

So presumably the Barclays ATM machines would then be replaced by Sainsburys ATM machines ?

Richard Greenhough ● 4111d

Sainsbury's sandwiches are very expensive and often cannot compete pricewise with sandwiches from little grocer's shops.

Ian Speed ● 4115d

According to the Chronicle the banks premises are to be taken over by Sainsbury's.  What about the family business who run the small shop, newsagents and post office?  What a shame.  They have been there for quite a long time, expanding into the post office a number of years ago.  And the sandwich shops?

Sarah Felstead ● 4115d

Our local residents association newsletter said that Sainsburys are interested in taking on the Barclays as a Sainsbury Local.Tesco are apparently looking at the former Mr Bun the Baker site in St John’s Road.  That used to be a really good bakers, but the last people to run it ruined the place, with a small number of very boring options and very rude customer service.  Two shops in the parade make a good success out of selling nice breads, so that bakers could be successful again if it had someone who cared and knew what they were doing running it!

Gareth Mitchell ● 4118d

Don't worry Jim it's Hounslow's regeneration project for the Borough! No doubt that it'll end up like another pizza/chicken/nail shop or a new block of flats with no infrastructure to support it. Be nice to see a new Doctors/Dentists/Nursery etc etc. It'll end up like the rest of Hounslow,shithole!!

Kevin Farnan ● 4118d

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2558184/Morally-bankrupt-Mass-branch-closures-Yet-grotesque-bonuses-Five-years-crash-Barclays-making-mockery-vow-beacon-integrity.htmlYes ... time to leave. But the Nat West Bank...will they take me on!

Jim Lawes ● 4118d

...and what a mess they made of the interior design.. let alone the outside.It's called progress Jim!I presume the cash machines outside the building will disappear too. That will inconvenience many customers too.

Jim Lawes ● 4118d

Well, if I were you Keith I would be quiet in case theyr ealises there is a branch ticking along that they have forgotten to close!I have pulled into the Nat West at Gillette corner many a time and had no difficulty parking, Jim.  We moved our branch from Hounslow to Kingston as we shop there more than not.

Sarah Felstead ● 4119d

@KeithQuite. Also supports Brentford High Street at least stumbling on.

Guy Lambert ● 4119d

Why would you even consider going to Hounslow when there is a Barclay's branch on Brentford High St and loads of free parking in the area?

Keith Iddon ● 4119d

Exactly Sarah. Yes I do feel sorry for the counter staff whose pleasantries over the years added to the pleasure of walking that pavement.... until the nasty parking meters arrived. (no free first 30 minutes then!)I worked for Barclays Bank after leaving School in 1958.. and I'll never forget the excellent experience and training received. I've been knee deep in Barclays light blue paperwork ever since. Time for a fresh start.Put them in Room 101?The Nat West Bank at Gillette Corner looks good...  It's called the Osterley Branch...although not in Osterley. I think it's actually located within the Brentford ward.  Anyhow it was good enough for the Sultan of Brunei so it should be fine for me.Smashing banking hall, elegant entrance..and bags of free parking. Any thoughts?

Jim Lawes ● 4119d

PS:  Who on earth would go into Hounslow, especially to deal with cash?

Sarah Felstead ● 4119d

Some people will not want to enter into online banking and won't mind the trek to the Branch.Having dealt with another customer from that branch Jim (a neighbour who has been in poor health) I suggest that part of the success of this Branch is it is run on a very personal basis and enjoyed as such so closing it is a real loss to the Bank, the branch empoyees and the customers who all know each other on first name terms.The parade of shops started to go down hill when the Council put in the parking charges and zoned them so there is no parking at certain times of the day.  I fell foul of a 'skullduggerous' warden who was hiding in a shop doorway and who instead of approaching me as I bought my ticket, allowed me to pass him whilst he darted (probably chortling) back to my car to give me a ticket at 9.20 am - the zone was until 9.30.

Sarah Felstead ● 4119d

I agree - like the High Streets banks are prey to people doing business online, I know I have for years. It's the people on the counters I feel for, but then it's the same in shops - serve yourself and put some poor soul out of a job.

Vanessa Smith ● 4119d

Thing is, these days if I visit a bank branch once a year it's a busy year and I suspect that's true for many personal customers. Come to think of it, the only time I have ever visited the branch where my business account is held, is when I opened the account.I think for this reason branches are doomed. After all, when bonuses are up 10% (again) and profits down 32%, something's gotta give, and heaven forbid that bonuses should be restricted in any way.

Guy Lambert ● 4119d

Hounslow High St one is a total nightmare. You're right Jim, I should move branches. There are 2 NatWests in the area, so it'll be a while before both are lost.

Ian Speed ● 4119d