MP: No case to close bank

OLDHAM MP Michael Meacher is demanding financial information from Royal Bank of Scotland bosses over its plans to close the Chadderton branch.

The Oldham West and Royton MP said he couldn’t see the case for closing the well-used branch, at the junction of Middleton Road and Featherstall Road.

He said: “I can’t understand why they want to close a branch which is always busy and where there are always queues. There is no financial case to close this branch.”

Bank representatives met Mr Meacher, ward councillors and local business men on Friday and confirmed the branch will close by March 18.

Mr Meacher is urging them to delay the decision for three months until they set out the reasons behind the closure.

The Labour MP said: “RBS says footfall has decreased by about 20 per cent and residents say this is because of a change of opening hours. I have asked for a financial resume of why this particular branch is closing.

“Other branches in Oldham are often a lot quieter and it means my constituents travelling 1.6 miles to the next nearest branch.”

The Chadderton branch is surrounded by restaurants and business clients which generate a lot of business for the bank.