Message to Barclays: Don't call us, we'll call you

As a Liverpudlian, I'm pleased to see Barclays creating new jobs in my home town. But as a Barclays' customer my heart sinks at the creation of this new 'proactive' call centre.

Explaining the investment in a second outbound telesales operation, Alan Longmuir, head, premium segments, Barclays, says: "Our proactive contact centre division has grown rapidly to meet the needs of our customers and clients right across the UK retail banking portfolio - from our personal customers to our local business and premier clients." (my emphasis)

What are these needs exactly? Personally, I'm not too thrilled at the idea that I might be on the receiving end of yet more calls from Barclays' agents trying to flog me an 'upgrade' to a new - and more expensive - account.

The cold calling usually takes place between 6pm and 7pm - not a good time in a busy family-oriented household - and the agents are tenaciously insistent that you either take the call or "arrange a more convenient time".

I don't blame the call centre operatives. They're only working to a script - albeit a hard-nosed one that won't take no for an answer. But I do object to Barclays invading my privacy in this way.