Businessman bricks up bank entrance in protest

AN ANGRY businessman bricked up a bank entrance yesterday in protest over the difficulties experienced by small businesses looking for loans.

Using breeze blocks, Cameron Hope, a property developer, built an 8ft-high wall in front of a branch of Barclays in Bournemouth, Dorset.

Mr Hope, 59, was joined by other local business owners who waved placards and banners proclaiming: "Robbed by the banks we own", and: "Make the banks lend" during the stunt.

Mr Hope 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 on a property that I already own, but the bank tried to charge me a 7,000 fee."

The brick wall was taken down two hours into the protest after police threatened the demonstrators with arrest.