Proposed closure of Barnard Castle's NatWest bank branch is raised in parliament

THE proposed closure of the Barnard Castle branch of NatWest bank has been raised during a parliamentary debate.

Teesdale MP Helen Goodman brought up the planned closure in May this year during a debate about banks and communities at Westminster Hall on Thursday, January 11.

The bank cited dwindling usage of the branch and a change in the way people do banking as reasons for the closure. People have hotly contended the bank’s claim that only 69 customers use the branch each week.

More than 1,000 people have now signed a petition launched by Barnard Castle’s county councillors against the closure.

Mrs Goodman referred to the petition during her speech at Westminster.

She said: “RBS is closing its branch in Barnard Castle, and there is a massive petition going in Barnard Castle and Teesdale.

“Many local people, small businesses, charities and churches ask, ‘How are we going to manage?’ They are outraged that, even though we own that bank, the Government fail to put controls on what it does.”

The MP added that people in rural areas suffer from poor broadband so many residents cannot access internet banking. She said people from Teesdale have to travel to Leeds – a four hour round trip – to have a “sensible discussion about a business issue”.

She called on the government to change its competition rules.

Mrs Goodman said: “It seems to me that it might be possible for some banks to share premises, which would undoubtedly enable them to save money, but they say that would be a breach of competition legislation.

“That tells me that the competition legislation and the competition authority’s mandate are wrong. There should be a public interest test as well as a competition test so that the banks do what they are meant to do: serve the public.”

County councillor Richard Bell who helped launch the petition called on more people to sign it.

He said: “I’m pleased with the progress of the paper petition which is heading towards 1,000 signatures. If they’ve not done so already, I’d encourage people to sign it.

“We are also looking at setting up an online petition of government. I have written to Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond, and Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, to see if we can make common cause with their closures at Richmond and Ferryhill.”

The petition is available at the Teesdale Mercury Shop, Barnard Castle Town Council offices and St Mary’s Parish Church, in Barnard Castle, and at Middleton-in-Teesdale it can be found at Raine’s Ironmongers, McFarlane’s Butchers and the Conduit Cafe.