Calls for new bank to serve community

CLOSING . . . Natwest Bank, Uppermill

A FORTHRIGHT bank customer is urging villagers to join a movement to bring a new bank to their community.

Dr Richard Knowles has exchanged a series of letters with bosses at NatWest bank since it announced plans to close the Uppermill branch in June this year.

Now, in a fourth letter, Oldham's former mayor has received a response from RBS Executive Office in Edinburgh announcing it will retain the ATM cashpoint in the village after the bank's closure.

However, NatWest said it is refusing to reconsider closing the branch and stated in a letter to Professor Knowles: "We will not be responding to any further correspondence relating to our decision." Prof Knowles said: "This U-turn by NatWest will be welcomed by hundreds of residents and visitors who use the Uppermill ATM every week.

"We now need a public campaign to persuade another bank to come and open a branch in Uppermill to serve our community."

Meanwhile, as revealed in The Chronicle, Cllr Pam Byrne, Saddleworth Parish Council chairman, and the council clerk Pam Bailey have written to the bank expressing the council's concerns over the bank closure. But today Cllr Byrne said: "I believe the closure of this particular branch has not been looked at closely enough by the bank's powers that be.

"Uppermill is the commercial centre of Saddleworth, in the centre of the village, and its prominent and distinctive building forms part of this community. There are more than 1,000 businesses in Saddleworth and over 100 around the High Street in Uppermill.

"No good reason has been given for the closure of this branch - it would appear to be in a tranche of branches in the North West for the 'Red Pencil'.

"The NatWest has removed all but personal customers at this branch over a period of years and does not appear have look at this branch as a hub for all types of banking.

"Cash is still a viable commodity and this branch is used for many of these transactions - both business and personal and perhaps it could be explained how the possible retention of an ATM can accept cash?

"I am looking for an explanation beyond 'We are closing this branch on June 27, 2017' and would like to see concrete reasons and figures.

"How would it affect the NatWest if we all removed our accounts and promised them to another bank who could take over their business in Saddleworth?"

She added: "As a customer of 61 years I am not prepared to take this lying down."

Saddleworth Parish Council has now received a letter from the bank confirming it's closing and advising to use the Oldham branch or the post office.