Businessman furious at banks' refusal to lend bricks up Barclays branch in protest

A businessman angry at the reluctance of banks to lend money to small firms yesterday bricked up the front door of a Barclays in protest. Cameron Hope, a property developer, used breeze-blocks to build an 8ft by 4ft wall directly in front of the entrance to the bank. Mr Hope, 59, was joined by other local business owners who say they have had trouble getting money out of banks in order to run their companies.

The protesters waved placards and banners proclaiming 'robbed by the banks we own' and 'make the banks lend' during the stunt at Barclays in Bournemouth, Dorset. Members of the public voiced their support along with passing motorists who sounding their horns. Mr Hope, a father-of-four from Bournemouth, said: 'We blocked the doorway as a way of saying that the banks are open but the safe is shut.

'The banks are stifling the recovery from the recession by not lending businesses any money. I wanted to borrow some money for a new development but was told 'no, maybe next year. I wanted to borrow 40,000 pounds on a property that I already own but the bank tried to charge me a 7,000 pounds arrangement fee. It is outrageous and they are doing it because they can get away with it. Savers are getting nothing, borrowers are getting nothing and the banks are doing what ever they like.

'Some of the banks are even owned by the taxpayer and still they won't lend. The recovery will come from the private sector and if businesses can't borrow money then the recovery won't happen. This protest is saying enough is enough and the government needs to step in and make the banks lend.' The brick wall was taken down two hours into the protest after police threatened them with arrest.