Protest over cut to Llanfair Caereinion NatWest bank hours

Dozens of angry campaigners today gathered outside a Mid Wales bank to protest at it having its opening hours cut.

The protesters, led by Montgomeryshire Assembly Member Mick Bates, were outside the NatWest branch in Llanfair Caereinion to coincide with the first day of reduced services.

As the campaigners waved placards, many residents turned up at to use the bank, unaware that under the new business hours it was closed.

Eirwen Lewis, who lives in Llanfair, said: "I turned up at the bank to pay a cheque in and completely forgot that it isn't open today under the new move.

"It is awful because I use the bank two or three times a week and love the service I get and talking to the girls behind the counter."

Roy Powell, also of the town, added: "I don't want to do internet banking, I want face-to-face contact with real people."

The group was also protesting to stop the bank reducing opening hours at branches in Llanidloes and Montgomery and hundreds of people have signed a petition against the cuts.

Failed

Mr Bates said: "The bank has been listening, but not hearing our concerns and I am delighted that so many people have joined me here today.

"I was grateful to meet with representatives of NatWest but beyond the agreement to amend the one day of service in Montgomery from Wednesday to Thursday, the bank failed to deliver on our concerns.

"You have got to think that we as taxpayers have saved this bank from closure when the government helped out the Royal Bank of Scotland and now they have done this to us.

"It is clear they do not care about us, they think we are just a small town that doesn't matter. Well this is my local bank and we are going to make sure they know about it."

A spokeswoman for NatWest said the bank had taken the steps as a response to falling customer demand. But Mr Bates said he was urging them to reconsider the move.

By Andrew Morris