IT’S NOT SO NATIONWIDE NOW

THOUGH Nationwide Building Society has pledged to keep its branch network intact until January 2023, its closure of certain branches has annoyed some account holders.

David Snartt, a Nationwide customer, is angered by its decision to close the Anstey branch next month. It will leave the large – and growing – Leicestershire village with just a post office and cash machine for people to access cash.

Snartt, who is also mayor of Charnwood, has written to the society’s chairman expressing extreme disappointment. He says: ‘Many villagers who are reliant upon public transport will find it extremely difficult to use another Nationwide branch. The bus services are at best intermittent.’

Similarly, residents of Cookham in Berkshire were saddened by the closure last month of its Nationwide branch. It now leaves customers facing a two-hour round trip by bus to use the branch in Maidenhead.

Nationwide says the closures are a result of ‘sustained low and declining usage’ adding: ‘We have not made these decisions lightly.’

It reiterated its commitment to not leave any town or city without a branch until at least January 2023.