Closure of Natwest in Bridgwater criticised by local MP

BBC News

a day ago

An MP has said he is "deeply disappointed" by NatWest's decision to close its bank branch in a Somerset town.Ashley Fox, the Conservative MP for Bridgwater, said the move not only "risks excluding" vulnerable residents but will impact the number of shoppers on the high street.NatWest said over the last five years counter transactions have dropped by nearly 65% in the town as more customers "than ever before" switch to digital banking.The Bridgwater branch is due to close on 27 October, along with branches in Midsomer Norton and Portishead.
Scott Thomas, who has been banking at NatWest since he was a teenager, said closing the branch was "disgusting"."This bank has been my bank for my whole life - I do my business banking with NatWest, they've always been so helpful and now what am I going to do?," he said."Without NatWest, I wouldn't have been able to set that [business account] up. I'm dyslexic and have ADHD. They sat there with me, done it with me, helped me and now to be told I have to do something online with no help, it's absolutely ridiculous."
Madeleine Vann, said the closure was "sad"."It's all computers now and you're not dealing with a human being now, are you?" she said."That's why I've come in [to the bank] today, I wanted to see a human."Another local resident, Mary Cornish said she was "really, really shocked" by the news."I do online banking and that won't change but I like to go into the bank to get money out," she said."Such a shame isn't it. I will really miss it - popping in once a week."
Other branches across the West earmarked for closure include Yate, Fishponds, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Cirencester.Mr Fox, said the Bridgwater closure "risks excluding some of our most vulnerable residents"."Especially those who rely on in‑branch support to manage their finances with confidence," he added."It will also be a hit to our town centre, where the loss of regular footfall will add further strain to local high street businesses."He said he is "formally requesting" a meeting with NatWest to ensure they maintain "meaningful human support for those who need it most"."I will be pressing them to consider alternative face-to-face provision to ensure no one is left behind," he said.
According to NatWest, nearly three quarters of customers using the Bridgwater branch have chosen to use online banking and the mobile app in the last year.While the number of personal customers using the branch on average each month, was just over 220.A NatWest spokesperson said most of its customers were shifting to its "digital services" because of the "speed and convenience".In a statement, the spokesperson added that branch closures were "disappointing" but it was committed to ensuring the move online was "managed compassionately"."[We] proactively contact branch users who we know may need additional support when a branch closes," the said."And where there's a need we install community pop-ups to help customers become familiar with alternative banking services."