Ruth Cadbury Fears Chiswick Will Become Bank-free Town
MP presses NatWest and Lloyds on branch closure plans
The NatWest and Lloyds branches on Chiswick High Road
November 30, 2023
Ruth Cadbury, the MP for Brentford & Isleworth, has raised concerns about Chiswick becoming a ‘bank-free town’ following the announcement of two closures recently.
She made the comments after the decision by Lloyds and NatWest banks to close their adjacent branches on Chiswick High Road.
This comes after closures of Barclays, Santander and Halifax branches in recent years and the MP says her constituents have been writing in about the issues they face with a lack of access to physical banking services. Ms Cadbury has requested to meet with representatives of Lloyds and NatWest.
The banks justify their decisions on the reduction of walk-in customers, but she Is concerned about the estimated 30% of people who cannot use on-line banking, and businesses who need to drop off and pick up cash. NatWest claimed in a report to the regulator that its Chiswick branch only had two regular personal customers but did not respond to our request to explain how this figure was calculated. Neither bank has confirmed how many jobs will be lost as a result of the closures.
Both banks say that their customers in Chiswick will be able to use branches in Ealing and Hammersmith but there is no guarantee that these will remain open. There is also the new banking hub on Acton High Street and limited Post Office provision in the area, but these do not provide all the services of a full bank branch.
Ms Cadbury said, ‘‘I’m very concerned to hear that the branches of NatWest and Lloyds on Chiswick High Road are set to close, not long after the Halifax closed.
“Santander in Chiswick, and Barclays in both Brentford and Chiswick have also recently closed. Having heard from local residents about this, I know the serious impact that this will have on them and on nearby businesses. I fear that Chiswick could soon be a bank-free town as Twickenham now is. I have written to both banks and hope to discuss my concerns further.
“I know that this news will be very worrying and lead to significant disruption. Measures in place to reduce the impact of branch closures do not provide adequate support to residents and local businesses, and especially to those with disabilities who should not be disadvantaged by commercial decisions.
“Physical banking services are vital and these closures also continue to add to the strain on high streets. I have raised this wider issue with the Government and will make sure that the concerns of local residents are heard.’’
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