BARCLAYS Bank - the only bank in Earby - will close its doors in the town for the last time today (Friday) along with 171 other branches around the country.

But it could prove a costly decision for the bank, as Pendle Council is considering closing its account in protest at the Earby closure.

The council, which has an annual budget of £11 million, banks solely with Barclays and is currently bound by a contract with the bank. But chief executive Stephen Barnes has written to Barclays saying that in light of the Earby decision, that contract might not be renewed when it ends in two years' time.

Earby Parish Council has already voted to close its accounts with Barclays and scores of Earby people have also "voted with their feet", taking their accounts elsewhere. But it is the threat of losing the multi-million pound Pendle Council account which will hit Barclays hardest.

At a full meeting of Pendle Council, Earby councillor Doris Haigh asked: "Why should we bank with a bank that undermines this council's efforts to protect the community?

"This council should have a social conscience even if Barclays doesn't. We should threaten them with the withdrawal of this council's substantial account."

Coun Haigh added that the council could approach other banks to see if they were prepared to take over the Earby premises. If they were, they might also get the Pendle Council account in two years' time.

Her ideas won all-party backing. Labour's Coun Colin Waite said: "We need to remind them (Barclays) of their moral duty and remind them of the money they make in Pendle. If they take no notice, it's up to us to review where we put our money."

Conservative councillor Roger Abbiss added: "This is the unacceptable face of capitalism. We hope our move will be replicated up and down the country."

When Pendle Council's West Craven committee met on Tuesday, members welcomed the council's move. Earby councillor Rosemary Carroll said she was disappointed Barclays hadn't replied to a letter sent to them by the committee in protest at the closure.

In another recent protest, Earby Parish Council voted to close its accounts with Barclays. The council hopes to open a high interest account with the Marsden Building Society, which has a branch office in Earby, and a current account with the Yorkshire Bank.

There was a massive outcry in Earby when the closure was announced, with a 900-name petition collected in a fortnight. However, Barclays officials have repeatedly said there would be no U-turn on the decision.

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