Warrington South MP Andy Carter is calling for NatWest to ensure that there is appropriate provision in place for Stockton Heath residents who will be affected by the closure of their local branch on 6 September 2022.
The bank has cited a reduction in usage and an increase in the number of customers now using online banking as justification for the decision to proceed with the closure. NatWest’s own statistics cite a 9% decrease in counter transactions between 2017 and 2019, as well as 61% of personal customers also using online banking or the mobile app in 2019.
In a letter to NatWest, Andy Carter emphasised that the decision to close the Stockton Heath branch would have a severe impact on many local residents who depend on the branch. The MP urged the group to seek a review and meet with him to discuss alternative measures for those who will be affected by the closure.
One of the proposals that has been floated in recent years to combat the impact of local branch closures is the idea of community banking hubs, where multiple banks operate in a shared space in community buildings.
Bank Hubs have already been introduced in Rochford (Essex) and Cambuslang (South Lanarkshire), with current plans to establish five new Post Office Bank Hubs in Acton (West London), Brixham (Devon), Carnoustie (Angus), Knaresborough (North Yorkshire) and Syston (Leicestershire).
Andy Carter MP said: “I’ve had a lot of constituents contact me to express their concern over the closure of NatWest’s Stockton Heath branch. Of course it’s true that in this day and age electronic payments have largely replaced using physical cash. However not everyone is able to do their banking online. Independent traders rely on local banks for depositing their money, as do many elderly people who don’t have access to online services and value speaking with staff face to face.
“Bank branches are vital for many people, as well for retaining the vitality of our high streets. I think one of the alternative proposals NatWest and other banks in Warrington seriously need to consider are community banking hubs – shared spaces for multiple banks to operate which would not only keep their costs down, but vitally would preserve access to physical banking for local communities, as well as retaining jobs for those employed in the banking sector.
“It is essential that banks provide appropriate facilities for their customers, and bank hubs are a commercial initiative. I will be raising the prospect of establishing local bank hubs, along with other efforts to develop solutions to support access to cash and banking services.”
