Don't withdraw our only bank... it doesn't add up

SET for closure . . . NatWest in Uppermill

A PARISH council has made a last-ditch bid to save a community's only bank.

A strongly-worded letter, signed by Pam Byrne, chair of Saddleworth Parish Council, and council clerk Pam Bailey, has been sent to the chief executive of NatWest.

It is the latest in a series of protests by businesses and villagers living across Saddleworth who have been left angry and frustrated at the bank's planned closure of its Uppermill branch on Tuesday, June 27.

In their letter ­to NatWest chief executive Ross McEwan, the women say they are "concerned and disappointed" by the bank's decision.

"It will leave more than 30,000 residents - and thousands of tourists who visit each year - without a single bank.

"Following the closure, the nearest bank will be more than five miles away in the centre of Oldham, where there are no immediate parking facilities."

Their letter highlights: "Ten Saddleworth villages host over 1,000 businesses which require daily banking services.

"In addition, the highest percentage of our resident population consists of retired people, many of whom reside in specialist accommodation and who do not have private transport.

"These people will be the hardest hit from the decision to close the branch.

"Saddleworth, in 1833, established the Saddleworth Banking Company (1833-66) in Dobcross.

"This bank was subsequently taken over by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, which later acquired NatWest.

"Your decision to close the Uppermill branch will end Saddleworth's long banking history, much to the distress of our several historical associations."

And it adds: "We request your decision to close Uppermill branch is reconsidered and, consequently, reversed."

The thorny topic was discussed at last month's parish council meeting. Then, Cllr Byrne said: "I feel as a parish council we ought to say what we think to NatWest.

"We use the bank not only as a council but as individuals, too, as a lot of the community do, and it would be a massive loss."

Dr Richard Knowles, a former leader and mayor of Oldham Council, has exchanged a series of letters with bank bosses.

Insensitive

Dr Knowles, who lives in Greenfield, stressed: "My correspondence is purely as a private citizen.

"But it echoes the views of many local residents, businesses, councillors and the MP.

"The bank are tripping themselves up. They are completely insensitive to loyal customers.

"There has been an explosion of anger, compounded by the bank not keeping the ATM, which will be very hard on locals, businesses and the community's night-time economy."

Bank chiefs rejected his offer to meet him or other senior managers on site.

NatWest closed their branch in Lees in 2011 despite resistance from the community local councillors, led by Barbara Beeley and Val Sedgwick.

Cllr Beeley said: "But this time could be different.

"NatWest has a promise not to close the last branch in the area and this one in Uppermill is Saddleworth's last bank so perhaps they'll listen to that."

Some banking services, including paying in, withdrawing money, checking balances and ordering coinage for businesses can be carried out at post offices.