Barclays has splashed out a fortune for bankers to live it up at Wimbledon for free as hard-up customers struggle to pay mortgages.
Senior staff have complimentary seats at the tournament in one of the venue’s executive suites costing up to £4,995 per person per day – and as much £95-a-bottle champagne as they can down along with luxury grub including caviar and lobster.
The jolly comes after the bank, which has more than 20 million UK customers, landed a Wimbledon multi-million pound partnership deal with the All England Club.
We saw staff partying at the tennis this week after Barclays hiked interest rates and was called before the Financial Conduct Authority accused of “blatant profiteering” along with HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds.
Barclays has posted a record first-quarter pre-tax profit of £2.6billion, its best since 2011. Furious GMB union chief Andy Prendergast told us: “For hard-working families struggling with rocketing mortgages, the sight of Barclays bosses swanning it at Wimbledon will add insult to injury.”
It’s understood the Barclays’ suite in No.1 Court is part of its deal with the All England Club.
The top staff package also includes free Centre Court tickets.
HSBC had a neighbouring suite to Barclays yesterday. Its CEO Ian Stuart was in the royal box on Friday.
Mortgage rates have soared. The average two-year fix is set to reach last October’s peak of 6.65%.
Barclays’ most recent annual report showed its boss C.S. Venkatakrishnan had a yearly pay package of £5.2million.
Labour MP Richard Burgon said: “It’s outrageous fat-cat bankers are being served up champagne and strawberries on the back of soaring mortgage costs for ordinary people.”
A Barclays spokesman declined to comment.
