Labour’s Hyde Park Ward Councillors have expressed their strong concerns about Nat West Bank’s plans to close the Spring Street branch on 7th August, together with the closure of the branch at 69 Baker Street on the same day.
In a letter to Nat West, Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg said:
“The closure of both the Spring Street and Baker Street Nat West branches means that, from August, there will be no Nat West branches in Paddington and Marylebone, an important part of the Westminster business district. This follows the past closure of Nat West branches in Edgware Road, Piccadilly and Marylebone High Street over recent years. As far as I can make out there will be just one Nat West branch left in the West End – in Regent Street.
Not all residents can access their accounts online and the closure of these two branches will inconvenience many of your older customers. The nearest Nat West branch will be almost two miles away and that will certainly make life difficult for many of your older, long-standing and loyal customers.
Also, with so many local retail and hospitality businesses handling large amounts of cash on a daily basis, many will be forced to keep cash on the premises and increase the likelihood of break-ins.
I urge you to reconsider this decision.”