FOLLOWING news that the NatWest branches in Bude and Holsworthy will be closing, it has been revealed that eight jobs will be lost between the two branches.

As reported in the Post, the NatWest Bude branch is set to close on June 4, 2018, with NatWest Holsworthy following suit on June 14, 2018.

NatWest has revealed that since 2012, it has seen the way in which people use the Bude branch change dramatically, with 85% of customers banking in other ways locally. Transactions in the Bude branch have reduced by 35% since 2012, with only 54 customers visiting the branch on a weekly basis, according to the bank. Furthermore, 59% of customers are now choosing to bank digitally with NatWest on a regular basis instead.

Meanwhile, NatWest said in Holsworthy, 81% of customers are banking in other ways, with transactions reducing by 29% since 2012. A total of 46 customers now visit the branch on a weekly basis, and 55% of customers are choosing to bank digitally.

The bank has said that it is ‘communicating with our customers affected by the closure and proactively contacting vulnerable customers and regular branch users’. Customers have six months to consider their banking options, with staff reaching out to support them on a one-to-one basis during the transition.

Following the news, a spokesperson from NatWest revealed how many jobs would be lost. The spokesperson said: “We have four posts each at the Bude and Holsworthy branches and we are working with our staff to consider their options.”

Additionally, it has also been announced that ATMs at the Bude and Holsworthy branches will also cease to exist by the end of the transition. The spokesperson continued: “In reviewing our network, decisions around ATMs are made based on the other facilities available in the community and so we will not be retaining ATMs at these branches. As well as using other ATMs, customers are also able to access services including checking balances and making cash withdrawals at the Post Office.”

Another town to have experienced the impact of bank closures is Camelford, where NatWest, Lloyds and Barclays all pulled out of the town. Claire Hewlett, Green Party spokesperson for North Cornwall, a town councillor and resident of Camelford, wrote on her Facebook page after hearing the news of the closures: “This is happening more and more — I can see the time when the banks will be in the main cities only, and sadly it’s not that far away.”

The news of the closures has spread, and people have been keen to express their opinions. In Bude, via the Bude Banter Facebook page, people have been doing just that.

Catherine Appleton thinks it is better to close branches that are not being used. She said: “Forty per cent drop in people using high street banks in the last few years because of online banking. So uneconomic to keep them open.”

However, Klara Hegedus said: “This is devastating for non-tech proficient elderly people. I know the banks are not charities and I don’t know what the answer is, but it will have such an impact on people.”

Speaking on behalf of business owners, Lydia Underwood said: “The issue for us is that we have a business account with them. How are we supposed to pay in cheques? And if we want to covert Euros into our account, we have to go to the bank to do it — they charge us for doing it online! Never mind all the retailers in Bude who need to pay cash and cheques in and get change. Really bad news and it means we’ll most likely switch banks, which is a pain from an admin and records point of view. Frustrating!”

In Holsworthy, people were equally as keen to express their thoughts on the Holsworthy Moan and Groan Facebook page.

Steve Stacey said: “It’s sad because in these rural areas we rely more on the banks than in bigger towns and cities. With rubbish internet in rural areas, we are going to have to travel further to visit a bank.”

Meanwhile, Sue Lyle said: “They, I mean the bigger powers that run the country, want us to be a cashless society. They will push and push for us to do online banking and paying of bills, contactless payments in shops. The other week there was a glitch with the cash machines in Holsworthy and all three of them were not working. Where are the shops and businesses going for their banking?”

Fiona Cooper added: “Really sad for the staff. Lots of them have worked there for a long time. Even though the Post Office can help, unemployed people and empty buildings is not a good thing.”

After these NatWest branches close, the nearest branch will be in Launceston — 17.9 miles away from Bude and 13.6 miles away from Holsworthy.

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