The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Neston Businesses and Town Council Fight Back Over Nat West Closure

Local business owners and members of Neston Town Council have joined the protest against the proposed closure of NatWest bank's branch in the town.

First reported here on AboutMyArea CH64 in December, NatWest have announced the closure of the branch is to happen in March, despite the use of the branch bucking the national trend.  Whilst nationally a drop of 30% in branch transactions has been recorded, in Neston it is just 11%, which can be explained by a general shift towards more people banking online. However, many local businesses and residents continue to use the Neston branch day to day and say that they wish to do so for the foreseeable future.

A petition was started by Brewers Arms' landlord Paul Smith, which has now garnered hundreds of signatures. Now a meeting has been arranged for next Thursday with NatWest Area CEO Rob Taylor, at which representatives of Neston Town Council and Neston & District Chamber of Trade will put the case for a reconsideration of the bank's highly unpopular decision.

On Radio Merseyside this morning, local business owners Chris Dawson of the Flower Lounge and Maria Whalley from Neston Pet Supplies were both interviewed, followed later in the Tony Snell breakfast show by Cllr Martin Barker on behalf of Neston Town Council.  You can listen again here (interviews are at just before 13 minutes in and 1 hr 11 minutes.)

Arguments that will be put to the bank's management include the fact that the branch is very well used and occupies an iconic position at the town's Cross.  If the bank proceeds with plans to desert the town, it is highly likely that Neston customers will likewise vote with their feet and bank elsewhere.

The town has recently benefitted from considerable investment in it's public realm, including updated pavements, road surfaces and street lighting. There has also been a rise in housing development, bringing many new homes and families into the area.  The town also boasts free parking, whilst the nearest town that will apparently continue to have a branch of NatWest, Heswall, is renowned for its parking charges and strenuous enforcement.

NatWest management appear to be saying that customers, including businesses, should use the Post Office for their over-the-counter banking - a suggestion derided by many, due to the already considerable queues in both the Post Office and NatWest branch in Neston.  

Petitions are available to sign in pubs and shops around the area. The sheets will be delivered to the bank's management at the meeting next Thursday.  AboutMyArea will continue to monitor the situation and report on any updates.

Report this article as inappropriate

Comments

sandrawilliams

At 11:13 on 8th January 2015, sandrawilliams commented:

I II HAVE BEEN WITH THE NAT WEST FOR A LONG TIME THINK ITS A SHAME THAT WE GOING TO LOOSE IT THINK WE HAVE LOST ENOUGH WHY SHOULD NESTON PEOPLE HAVE TO GO OUT OF ARE VILLAGE TO DO ARE BANKING EVERY TIME I GO IN THE BANK ITS ALLWAYS BUSY AND A LOT LIKE MYSELF DONT DRIVE AND NOT WELL ENOUGH TO TRAVAL TO HESWALL EVERY TIME I WANT TO DO MY BANKING

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Minnie

At 17:48 on 8th January 2015, Minnie commented:

This bank closure is an absolute disgrace with no thought to its customers at all. My husband and I have supported this bank for years (as a lot of people in neston have done)and we will DEFINITELY be closing our accounts there, we are not going to travel to Heswall to do our banking, and pay car park fees for the privilege! What about old people with no transport? How are they going to get there in the depths of winter? As the nat west advert says "so long farewell" it will be from us !!

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

plantsman

At 20:52 on 8th January 2015, plantsman commented:

When the Cheshire closed its branch in neston my wife an i moved our childrens accounts to the natwest as she banks with them. If our local branch closes i will be moving all our family accounts to Barclays as i use my local branch on a weekly basis. Wherever possible i try to use local buisnesses as i myself run a local buisness.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Jayne

At 23:39 on 8th January 2015, Jayne commented:

Both my Father and my Husband use the Neston branch for business banking and individually they each visit the bank at least 3 times/week. If this branch was to close we would not consider driving to alternative branch (the nearest being Heswall) and so would move all of our business and family accounts to HSBC or Barclays.
I'm not sure Natwest have throughly considered the closure and the loss of business it will incur.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

isobel

At 12:50 on 9th January 2015, isobel commented:

Having banked with this particular branch for over 30 years I am sad and disappointed that those making decisions care so little for their clients. There is a possibility that I - like many others - will now go elsewhere. The closure will be a great loss to Neston and surrounding area. Yet another Coffee House on the Way???

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

mrsmoyes71

At 21:31 on 10th January 2015, mrsmoyes71 commented:

Is tesco next ? As they ve said they are going to get rid of all non profit making shops I hope not as I like it in there but its always quiet in there . the NatWest s been in Neston for as long as I can remember it ll be so sad if it does close

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

piglingbland

At 22:29 on 14th January 2015, piglingbland commented:

Is my suggestion of moving to HSBC OR BARCLAYS a problemor am i missing something

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

You need to log in before you can do that! It's only a quick registration process to join the AMA network and completely free.