A well attended protest was held by local residents outside the Natwest branch in Llanfair Caereinion today. Residents were demonstrating against recent proposals for the branch to open at reduced times.
Mick Bates, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, attended the protest and expressed his full support for the concerns of local residents.
Mick says, "The Liberal Democrats are always fighting for local services and I believe that this is thin end of the wedge. Eventually, many local branches will end up being closed down. It is disgusting that, after taking such huge sums of public money from the taxpayer, many banks are failing to provide essential services for local people."
Viola Evans, County Councillor for Llanfair Caereinion, says, "I am very concerned and disappointed to hear that the Natwest branch in Llanfair Caerinion is to be opened at reduced times. It is important that, as a community, we retain as many services as possible for residents and I ask that Natwest look again at the impending changes."
Clive Hopwood, local resident and businessman adds, "It's shocking that we've put all this public money into the banks and this is how they repay us. It's all very well if you have the internet, but many local residents do not. If the proposed changes go ahead, I will be moving banks and will be encouraging my friends and acquaintances to do the same."
