Marlow will soon have five art galleries - but no High Street banks.

Residents have been speaking to the Free Press about the changing face of their town which they believe is trying to cater to 'well-heeled visitors'.

As previously reported, the closure of HSBC in July was the nail in the coffin for in-person banking services in the town centre.

Marlow resident Colin McCulloch opined that the lack of banks would cause “the elderly and disabled" to suffer the most and said  he feared it will leave them the vulnerable to scammers and con artists.

Now residents have been drawing comparisons between the closures of banks but the sudden rise in art galleries.

Just last week, independent art gallery Hayden Gallery opened at Number 23-25 on the High Street, marking the town's fourth place to peruse works of art.

And now national company Castle Fine Art has now also hinted it is due to imminently open a branch on the corner of Spittal Street.

Long-term residents of the town have raised concerns about the changing nature of Marlow's High Street, which they agree seems to be increasingly geared towards boosting tourism.

Colin said he feels the High Street was "changing, not for the benefit of most residents, but for well-heeled visitors".

Martin Braint, meanwhile, said he was unsurprised by the number of art galleries in the town but thinks there has been a loss of the "useful" shops that provide a service for residents such as himself.

He added: "These kinds of galleries never used to survive - 25 years ago, they wouldn't have lasted.

"It shows how wealthy the area has become. People clearly have money and want to spend it. Marlow is a very affluent area now, there are lots of wealthy and famous people around - it's definitely not a shopping centre."

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Bradley Worsfold, Director of Hayden Gallery, which opened on the High Street last weekend, said he had experienced backlash from some passersby who were opposed to the number of art venues in the town.

He said: "There are people who think Marlow doesn't need another gallery. A few passersby have made their opinions clear, though I'm happy to say that many have been supportive.

"Having a number of good galleries will, we think, bring people into the town for a 'gallery afternoon'. In our opinion, the other venues are not our competition and I hope that we can all work together.!

It comes just one month after the closure of HSBC, the last-standing bank in Marlow which shut its doors back in July.

Caroline Abrahams, Director of Age UK, said the charity was continuing to campaign for elderly residents, such as those in Marlow, who are reliant upon physical banking facilities, as big branches disappear from High Streets around the country.

She added: "The rapid decline in bank branches over the last few years has been a serious blow for millions of older people, particularly those who are not online or confident with mobile banking.

"Older people are constantly telling us how much harder life is when they can't talk to someone face to face. Alongside other factors, it makes it really hard for them to access their money."