LINK is set to review following Barclays' closure in Leiston

LINK will review an original decision to reject a banking hub in Leiston, which would have enabled residents to access cash following the closure of the Main Street branch on May 17.

The decision to review has been welcomed by local politicians, including Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey and Lib Dem

prospective parliamentary candidate Julia Ewart, who said she was 'thrilled' by the news.

READ NEWS: Lifts starting after closure of Leiston Barclays Bank

Julia Ewart, prospective parliamentary candidate for Suffolk Coastal, was 'thrilled' about the review of the banking hub (Image: Suffolk Coastal Liberal Democrats)In January, the bank announced it would be closing its branch due to falling numbers of customers, prompting an outcry from residents and a number of petitions being set up, including by Dr Coffey which had more than 600 signatories, calling for the bank to be saved.

Particular concern was expressed about older and less mobile customers who would have to travel to neighbouring branches more than 20 miles away in Lowestoft and Ipswich.

READ MORE: Petition to save the Leiston branch has been signed by 71

Dozens of local residents also protested against the closure outside the bank in February.

Dr Coffey said: “I know how much of a lifeline local banking facilities are for the community. Every previous application for a hub in Suffolk Coastal has been turned down, so I recently joined a round table at the Treasury with the minister and LINK.

"For the first time, they shared that they only consider the impact of a bank closure on a town plus a one kilometre circumference.

READ MORE: Leiston bank closure labelled 'disappointing' by Suffolk MP

Therese Coffey said banking services were a 'lifeline' for communities (Image: Archant)"I was astounded by this as that’s not how the rural economy works and robustly made the point that they also need to consider villages further afield, which they now seem to be doing.”

Julia believed the U-turn was a result of pressure from a number of sources, including the need for facilities for workers with the new Sizewell C nuclear power station.

READ MORE: Leiston news

She said: "I think it is rather a shock that it has taken an accumulative position from all sides of politics and the public and the largest European build in Sizewell C to have to intervene for them to think about changing their direction.

"Whilst I am thrilled, I really hope that they do not make a suggestion that they might make a change and then not act upon it."

A LINK spokesperson said: "LINK is in contact with Ms Coffey's office and we will be visiting Leiston next week. We will make our recommendation shortly after."

READ MORE: Suffolk news