Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst today slammed the decision by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) not to review the closure of Rochester High Street’s NatWest bank branch.
Since the plans to close the high street branch was first announced at the end of 2016, Kelly had expressed her disappointment and led calls for a review given the community, social and business reliance on the branch. Community fears are founded on the basis that the rate of closures on the high street will leave local businesses and vulnerable residents with reduced banking access, with the Post Office unable to cope with the demand of a rapidly growing town.
However, these calls from across the community – including to maintain an ATM as a minimum – have been rejected much to the anger of Kelly and constituents.
The issue of high street bank closures has also been raised by Kelly in the House of Commons although requests for a debate were not granted despite this being a trending concern across the country. Yet, in a written question submitted at the turn of the year, Treasury Minister Simon Kirby MP responded,
“The Government recognises the need to support local communities to adapt to changes in banking, including when bank branches close. In March 2015, the Government helped to broker an industry-wide agreement to work with customers and communities to minimise the impact of bank branch closures and put in place alternative banking services.”
Although, the Minister also stressed that unfortunately the Government has little leverage on these business decisions, which highlights the need for further support to high streets, and strategic communication with banks and the Post office at all levels.
Following the latest negative correspondence from RBS and NatWest, Kelly said,
“I am extremely disappointed that RBS and NatWest have declined to review their decision to close the NatWest branch on Rochester High Street despite the knowledge that many small businesses and residents rely on their services.
“This is particularly short-sighted given the plans to increase housing in Medway by almost 30,000 alongside growing business and industry, yet we will have to face it with only one other high street bank branch, the future of which is also uncertain.
“It is clear that this decision will unnecessarily cause disruption and inconvenience to the daily lives of so many Rochester and Strood residents, which is a real shame.”
Kelly has pledged to continue to express her opposition to these widespread closures to both RBS and the Government up until the final closure before working to ensure further closures within the constituency are avoided in the future.