Bank closure will hit Middlewich trade (From Northwich Guardian)

Bank closure will hit Middlewich trade

11:30am Tuesday 9th November 2010 in Leisure

I NOTE from a recent meeting that the council has received a ‘Dear John’ letter from RBS regarding closure of the High Town NatWest branch on Thursdays.

While I am sure the residents would like to thank Stephen for his efforts, the bank’s economies of scale had already made minds up to close on this day, which they say is the quietest. This same economy chooses to close Holmes Chapel on a Wednesday. Has MTC asked Holmes Chapel PC if they have also written to lodge displeasure at closure.

While the RBS say they are re-using the staff at a more active bank did they omit to use the words on a Saturday, perhaps.

The bank said that online banking was available. This is okay for those who can. And with regards to travelling to Winsford I am sure that MTC already knew this but you are probably looking at about at least an hour by motor vehicle to do this, by the time you have queued in a ‘busy branch’, if by public transport possibly up to two hours.

Also if residents of Middlewich have to go to Winsford (or other) they will probably be inclined to shop there, affecting Middlewich trade even more.

While the council cannot stop the bank doing as it wishes I note that the cash machine continues to run 24/7 and the slip tin on the wall by the ATM fills up to capacity and then on Thursdays the slips get thrown on the floor littering our town centre. I have been into the branch and spoken to the staff regarding this and they advise they cannot leave the branch to empty same.

I presume at some point they have to leave the branch to go home on a Wednesday evening! I have also phoned Northwich NatWest, which I believe Middlewich fall under and have spoken to the manager who said he would get it emptied. Unfortunately he did not say how often, as it still appears to overflow.

On my way home from the council meeting the cleaner appeared to be leaving the bank premises at about 8pm and as I assume the bank is cleaned on a daily basis perhaps the responsibility for emptying the slip tin is hers.

ALAN LANGLEY Lindisfarne Close, Middlewich