Bring back our bank – that’s the rallying cry from community leaders in an east Leeds village.
People in Kippax have had to cope without a local bank since their branch of Barclays closed its doors around a decade ago.
Now councillors are hoping to persuade bosses at the Co-operative Bank to open up in the village’s existing Co-op food store, which is on High Street.
And today they issued an appeal for residents to show their support for the idea by signing a petition.
Coun Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council and Labour ward member for Kippax and Methley, said: “Kippax has been without a bank for too long, so I am fully behind this campaign.
“The current situation is hugely inconvenient for people and businesses in the village and a local bank would make a huge difference.
“I’d encourage as many people as possible to sign the petition.
“If people get behind the campaign, we will hopefully then see a bank reopened as soon as possible, which would be a huge boost both for residents and for Kippax’s economy.”
The campaign has also won the support of the Kippax Traders Association.
Association chair Pat Samy told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “We see this as a good way of rejuvenating High Street.
“As traders, we want people to be given reasons to stay and shop in Kippax.
“Hopefully this campaign will do just that.”
A spokeswoman for the Co-operative Bank said: “Although we do not have plans to launch new in-store banks at present, we always welcome expressions of interest from the public and will consider applications that are put forward on a case by case basis.”
Copies of the bank branch petition are available in a number of stores on High Street.
Names can also be added online via the www.change.org/petitions/the-co-operative-group-open-an-in-store-co-op-bank-in-kippax web page.
The nearest bank that can currently be used by residents in Kippax is situated in Garforth.
Defending their heavily-opposed Kippax branch closure proposals in 2000, Barclays bosses said more and more people were doing their banking by telephone or over the internet.
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