SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: MP backs campaign to keep bank branch open

A CAMPAIGN to keep open the NatWest bank branch in South Petherton has won the support of local MP David Laws.

The RBS/NatWest recently announced plans to close the well-used branch from January 2015.

Now Yeovil MP David Laws has visited opponents to the plans and was briefed on Saturday (November 1, 2014) on the potentially damaging impact of the closure.

A petition of almost 900 names has been collected in a very short period of time.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Yeovil MP David Laws.

Mr Laws said: “I strongly support the campaign to keep open the NatWest branch in South Petherton.

“This branch appears to be very well used, and I do not understand why the bank wants to close it.

“I wonder whether senior executives are using out of date figures on customer volumes, as the numbers of people using the branch seem to have increased since the closure of the Martock branch just a few months ago.

“Many people in South Petherton and the surrounding area have told me how angry they are about these planned changes – particularly as some people were apparently told that they could use the South Petherton branch when the Martock branch was closed down.

“I have written to the bank’s Chief Executive calling for a re-think and requesting a meeting with senior managers to discuss this matter.”

Mr Laws added: “I urge anyone who is concerned about this planned closure to contact me, so that I have as much support as possible for the campaign and as much detail as possible of how the planned closure would impact on local residents and local businesses.”

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