Petition to save Kenilworth's NatWest branch from closure gathers steam

A petition to save Kenilworth's NatWest branch from closure later this year has been gathering steam.
NatWest in Warwick Road, which is set to close in June.NatWest in Warwick Road, which is set to close in June.
NatWest in Warwick Road, which is set to close in June.

The petition, started by the Kenilworth and Southam Liberal Democrats, was made in response to NatWest’s announcement in December that its Kenilworth branch in Warwick Road would shut permanently on Tuesday June 13.

Richard Dickson, who helped organise the petition, said: “To date we have collected approximately 250 signatures from local people who have expressed their ‘disgust’ at the decision.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“These include many older customers and even some retired NatWest staff.

“It seems that some regular users of the branch, whose accounts are technically held at other branches, have not received any written communication from the bank about its plans and have only heard about the decision from local branch staff.

Petition signatures have been obtained when I have stood outside the branch on several occasions and also by people signing the petition online.”

Richard has also written to Martin French, the local CEO of NatWest for Birmingham, to request a meeting with him towards the end of February or early March.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesman for NatWest said the bank wrote to all customers who have a sort code registered with the bank, and visited the branch at least twice in the six months before the closure was announced.

He also said Martin French would be happy to attend the meeting.

NatWest previously said the branch’s planned closure is down to fewer customers making transactions in person.

If Kenilworth’s branch does close, the nearest branch will be four miles away in Leamington, although Kenilworth’s NatWest ATM will stay.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Customers will still be able to pay money in, take money out and check their balance at Kenilworth’s Post Offices. Business customers will also be able to get coins from Post Offices.

NatWest committed to creating a ‘Community Banker’ role to help its customers after the branch closes, and will offer training to people who have difficulty in using online banking.

Anyone wishing to sign the petition can do so here.