NatWest listens to closure concerns
WEST Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper has met with NatWest directors to discuss the impending closure of their Skelmersdale branch.
NatWest announced before Christmas it was to shut nearly 200 of its branches nationwide, including its Skelmersdale operation.
Some residents and customers, including pensioners and disabled persons, were initially fearful for their options with their local bank closing.
Ms Cooper raised these concerns with the bank when the closure was announced and has been assured that customers are being supported through a variety of means.
NatWest also increased their usual notice period from three to six months, meaning the Skelmersdale branch won’t close until May 22.
The branch has already begun to support customers through the transition, creating a new specialist taskforce of NatWest TechXperts, dedicated to providing customers with digital skills for those who wish to move to online banking.
For those wishing to continue banking face-to-face, NatWest have signed a contract whereby everyday banking transactions, including balance checks, cash and cheque deposits, cash withdrawals and even businesses obtaining coinage, can all be done via the local Post Office.
Ms Cooper was pleased to hear about this proactive approach to supporting vulnerable customers and regular branch users: “I said previously that the closure of the NatWest branch in Skelmersdale is another blow for the town, and it is very disappointing, but I was pleased to hear from their directors of the many initiatives being undertaken to minimise its impact on customers.
“I was given examples of where Skelmersdale’s Local CEO Jenna Holt and other staff have walked customers from the branch to the Post Office and introduced them to the staff there, so that they could have easy access to their money through the Post Office.
“While the loss of this branch will be a big change for customers and the staff, customers could benefit from the longer opening hours provided by WEST Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper and the Alliance for Beverage Cartons & the Environment (Ace UK) launched a new recycling service for PE-lined paper cups in Burscough last week.
Since January 2018, West Lancashire residents have been able to recycle their used cups alongside food and drink cartons at specialist banks at Burscough Household Waste Recycling Centre, Abbey Lane.
The banks accept PE-lined paper cups the Post Office, including weekends.”
Local CEO Jenna Holt said:“We are communicating with our customers affected by the closure and proactively contacting vulnerable customers and regular branch users.
“We have extended the time between announcing our decision and the branch closure to six months... so that we can ensure our customers have enough time to consider the right banking options for them and to give us time to support them one-to-one during the transition.” which are used for hot drinks such as tea and coffee in coffee shops, fast food outlets and supermarkets.
The new service is the result of an agreement between Ace UK, which operates the dedicated food and drink carton recycling service, and high street retailers and cup manufacturers, giving many more people access to recycling for paper cups.
The cups will be recycled at Ace UK’s facility in Halifax.
Ms Cooper said: “West Lancashire residents have always responded well to different recycling schemes implemented, and I hope that they will take full advantage of this new service.”
Joining her for the launch were Huhtamaki’s head of corporate responsibility, Wouter van Tol, and Cllr Ian McKay, who works at the centre.
Huhtamaki is a member of the Paper Cup Alliance and funder of the scheme.
For information on recycling, call 0300 123 6781 or visit www. lancashire.gov.uk