SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Opposition mounts to NatWest branch closure

A PETITION boasting around 1,500 signatures was handed over to Yeovil MP David Laws today (Thursday, November 6, 2014) in opposition to plans to close the NatWest branch in South Petherton.

People turned out in force to show their anger and disappointment at the proposals which were recently announced by RBS/NatWest to close the well-used branch from January 2015.

Mr Laws was left in no doubt as to the strength of feeling there is in South Petherton about the planned closure and he told villagers that he will be meeting with the bank’s chief executive later this month to discuss the issue.

He has urged people to write letters of opposition to him and send them to his constituency office at 5 Church Street, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 1HB.

“The more letters and representation I get the better,” he said.

PHOTO - TOP: Yeovil MP David Laws (right) receives a petition from South Petherton butcher Andrew Winter.

PHOTO - RIGHT: The NatWest branch in South Petherton which is set to close in January 2015.

Mr Laws said the “quality of argument” against the planned closure was very important – although he intimated that sometimes it was difficult to get banks to change their minds once decisions had been made.

People told Mr Laws that they were angry about the proposed closure – especially coming soon after the Martock branch closed.

The petition campaigning against the closure was initiated by local butcher Andrew Winter, of A. & J. Winter Butchers Ltd, who said the bank was vital to the South Petherton community.

“There are a lot of people in South Petherton who don’t do internet banking – there’s many in South Petherton who haven’t got a computer,” he said.

“This isn’t just going to affect the businesses in South Petherton, but South Petherton as a whole.”

PHOTO - ABOVE: People gather outside the NatWest branch in South Petherton.

PHOTO - The petition is handed over to Yeovil MP David Laws.

PHOTO - ABOVE: Unhelpful banking - a placard makes a point outside the South Petherton branch of the NatWest today as residents met with Yeovil MP David Laws.

Tags:
News.