SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: Villagers urge bank officials to re-think closure plans

BANK officials have been left in no doubt as to the views of people opposed to the closure of a NatWest branch in a thriving Somerset village.

RBS/NatWest have announced it plans to close the branch in South Petherton next month, but residents and local businesses have been urging the organisation to think again.

A packed public meeting between villagers and bank officials took place on Thursday (December 18, 2014) evening in the parish church.

Yeovil MP David Laws has been campaigning on behalf of the opponents to the closure plans and will continue to do so.

“This week’s meeting demonstrated the strong views of people in South Petherton and the surrounding villages about keeping this bank branch open – particularly as it’s the last in the village,” he said.

“So many people came to the public meeting that the venue had to be changed to the church – and even then it was standing room only.

“I was very unhappy with the response from the RBS managers who were present, who failed to provide strong reasons for closing the branch and who didn’t seem to be listening to the views of local residents.

“However, what we do now know is that since the closure of the nearby Martock branch, transaction volumes have risen at South Petherton rather than falling as the bank claimed.

“The bank also admitted that it was wrong to tell people in Martock that they would be able to use the South Petherton branch, and then announce two months later that it would close the South Petherton branch as well.”

Mr Laws added: “I have written again to the chief executive of RBS asking him to halt this closure and admit that the situation at this branch is not as originally claimed by the bank.

“I have also spoken to the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, to express my concerns to him and to ask him whether this matter can be reviewed.”

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