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The pop-up Barclays Bank at the Crown hotel in Framlingham has been in operation since September, but will be relocating to the former Royal Mail sorting office in Riverside on Monday.
Framlingham postmaster Roger Tripp said the office was larger than the facilities available at the Crown and would enable Barclays customers to make cash transactions and speak to bank staff within the same building.
READ MORE: Framlingham sorting office decision ‘beggars belief’
The Post Office has been handling cash transactions for Barclays customers since the bank closed its Market Hill branch in Framlingham in September due to more people using online or mobile banking instead.
However, the closure left those without access to online or mobile banking stranded.
Mr Tripp said: “It is far more suitable than what they had got at the Crown.
“There is a waiting area for the customers and a private office for them to discuss their private affairs with a financial adviser so they can do all the over-the-counter cash and cheque withdrawals and speak to someone if they feel they are being scammed or have forgotten their PIN codes.”
READ MORE: Barclays Bank announces service in Crown Hotel, Framlingham
Postal firm Royal Mail never returned to its Framlingham base after relocating the sorting office to Saxmundham in the aftermath of flooding during Storm Babet in October when water poured into the Riverside building.
READ MORE: Framlingham Post Office reopens after Storm Babet flooding
In January, Mr Tripp described Royal Mail’s decision as “ludicrous” and warned it would lead to poor customer service and cost the postal service money, as well as damaging the environment due to vehicles having to travel from Saxmundham to Framlingham.
Of the Barclays hub relocation, he said: “It is good news for the Post Office. It is good news for Barclays and it is good news for Framlingham and the surrounding villages.”
Barclays have been approached for comment….
READ MORE: Framlingham news
