Penistone is a small market town not well served by public transport connections. It has a larger than average population of elderly residents, many of whom rely on being able to manage their daily business within the town without having to travel further afield. 

The current Covid-19 crisis is further contributing to people’s distress and anxiety about these proposals. People are – rightly - attempting to avoid public transport. They are, under current restrictions, unable to accept offers of lifts from car driving friends and family members. We have no idea how long these restrictions will continue but anticipate that risks around Covid-19 will be with us for some time, especially for older and more vulnerable members of our society – the very ones who rely on this facility.  

In recent years both HSBC and Natwest have closed their branches on Penistone High Street. As a result of these closures a number of customers transferred their savings business to YBS, as they were unable or did not wish to travel into Barnsley. In closing this branch the YBS will lose these customers, and more. 

As residents of a community which will be heavily affected by this planned closure, we urge you to reconsider your proposals and to maintain the branch in Penistone.  

Penistone Liberal Democrats petition to save Yorkshire Building Society.
Started by Cllrs Hannah Kitching and David Greenhough, and Liberal Democrat campaigner Mandy Lowe Flello. 
We, the undersigned, request that Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) reconsider their proposals to close the branch on Penistone High Street.