The closure of the Co-op Bank branch in Stone High Street was raised in Parliament today by the town’s MP Sir Bill Cash.
Sir Bill secured a debate on the closure of the NatWest branch in Eccleshall (and handed over a petition against its closure) but also mentioned the closure of Co-op bank branches in Stone, Blythe Bridge and Cheadle. All three branches will close between April and July.
Sir Bill said during the debate: “I also have problems with closures by the Co-operative bank. It, too, has a poor history. I met with the head of branch network for the Co-operative bank last Wednesday to oppose its decision to close branches at Blythe Bridge, Cheadle and Stone in my constituency. The nearest alternative branch will now be in Longton, which is approximately eight miles from all the other branches. The branches are scheduled to close by the end of July. The Co-operative bank also claims that its customers are its main priority, but how can customers be its main priority if it is removing banks in such key local towns? It says it will write to affected customers to let them know about the changes and the alternatives available to them.
“My constituents in Stone do not want the Co-op bank in their town to close. They banked with its predecessor for 30 years and want a full local branch. The post office is not a good alternative, as it could not offer a full service and the queues are long. The same applies in Cheadle and Blythe Bridge.
“I call on the Minister to intervene by writing to the banks and to do everything possible to try to prevent the proposed Co-op closures in Cheadle, Stone and Blythe Bridge, as well as the closure of the NatWest branch in Eccleshall.”
Andrea Leadsom, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, told the debate: “I appreciate that the people of Eccleshall have produced a petition with close to 800 signatures expressing their concern at the loss of their bank branch. Each of those people, and those in the neighbouring communities in Blythe Bridge, Cheadle and Stone who are losing a branch of the Co-operative bank, will feel, quite rightly, that their town is losing a little piece of its identity.”
[button color=”green” size=”small” link=”https://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2015-03-03a.280.0&s=speaker%3A10095#g280.1″ ]Click here to read the full debate[/button]
