Bank closure shocks locals

Natwest Bank, Uppermill

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SHOCKED businesses and locals are today reeling from the announcement that Saddleworth's last remaining bank is to close.

A notice inside the NatWest branch on Uppermill High Street said the bank will close on June 27, next year.

The news comes as Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon fights to keep open branches in Royton and New Moston.

Battling Pam Byrne, chair of Saddleworth Parish Council, vowed to "lead the charge" to get a full explanation from the banking giant about the closure.

"I am shocked, disappointed and saddened at the news," she said. "I have banked with the District Bank/NatWest since 1957. Many organisations, including the parish council, hold accounts at Uppermill. Most need a local branch to pay cash into ­- you cannot do that online. I think NatWest should be ashamed of themselves to announce the future closure in this way.

"Where is the consideration for their customers?

"We need a full explanation into why this branch must close and I am prepared to lead the charge to get that."

Earlier this year there was frustration and anger across the whole community when NatWest announced shorter openings hours and closing the branch on Wednesdays ­- Uppermill's market day and busiest day of the week.

But NatWest says it has taken the "difficult decision" to shut the branch in six months' time and move banking operations more than five miles away to their Yorkshire Street branch in Oldham.

Graham Scholes, owner of Uppermill bakers JW Buckleys, said: "The decision is completely crackers.

"It was bad enough when they decided to close on Wednesdays but this decision means any cash business needing change will have some real headaches.

"The situation has been made worse since Barclays closed its Lees branch last week. People don't want to trek to Oldham from here.

"It could have a big impact on the local economy as Uppermill is a very popular with visitors and tourists who use the bank to obtain cash to be spent in the villages."

Paul Lowcock, of Paul's Quality Meats, has banked with NatWest since he started his business in Uppermill High Street in 1990.

"This is unbelievable," he said. "It will be truly missed. People come to the village to use the bank then use the shops. This means this is yet another way for our customers to go away from the village to shop.

"I've just spoken to my business manager at NatWest Oldham and he assures me there are going to be ATM's available for cash withdrawals.

"As we all know this will only be until they pull the plug on that . . . it's a changing world."

Another business customer said: "The amount and weight of change used by pubs, shops and cafes in the village is vast. We all pay for the facility of using NatWest.

"What about the elderly who supported the bank all their lives? Saddleworth needs a bank ­- full stop."

Parish councillor Jamie Curley said: "Saddleworth has a higher proportion of older people and the branch is a particular community asset. I would like NatWest to consider an alternative."

Other locals, some threatening to leave the bank, took to social media to air their views.

One said: "I think it's disgusting. How do those of us with poor mobility with no desire to bank online now do any transactions? It's a bit discriminatory."

Said another: "It's foolish to remove the bank as the village becomes less of a community. There are plenty of older people in Uppermill who will struggle without a bank."

But another argued: "People are panicking. They can use the post office to pay in, withdraw, check balances and business can order coinage.

"The ATM is also staying. NatWest and the Post Office have an agreement. This will be great news for the newly taken over post office in Uppermill. It still keeps it local and allows people to use a local service."

A letter to customers from the bank said: "The way people choose to bank with us has changed radically over the last few years. Between 2010 and 2015, mobile and online transactions have increased by over 400 per cent and mobile transactions alone have increased by 1,350 per cent.

"As a result of this change, we have seen the number of transactions in the Uppermill branch declining by 29 per cent since 2011 and 60 per cent of the customers of the branch are actively choosing to use online and/or mobile banking for their day-to-day banking needs.

"We have listened closely to feedback from local communities and have extended the time between announcing our decision and the branch closure to six months. This has been done in order to ensure our customers have time to consider the right banking options for them.

"We are committed to ensuring our customers and communities are able to continue accessing quality banking services. As part of this, we have created a new role ­- our community banker ­- who will serve the local area, providing customers with personal assistance and support accessing the right banking options for their needs, as well as help with achieving their financial plans and goals.

"We know that not all of our customers are comfortable and familiar with using online or mobile banking, so we have created a new specialist taskforce of digital experts who will be dedicated to supporting our customers with training and support with digital skills.

"We are following the access to banking protocol and we have made the decision after careful consideration of a wide range of factors, including regular branch usage and the alternative ways our customers can bank with us.

"We provide a range of alternative ways to bank, tailored to the needs of our communities and reflective of the way our customers live their lives."