Campaigners fight to save Earl Shilton Bank

A PETITION has been launched to try and save the last bank in a local town from closure.

Lib Dem Councillors have launched it after the Royal Bank of Scotland announced plans to close the NatWest Bank in Earl Shilton, in the New Year, claiming it's underused.

Councillor Mathew Hulbert, who represents the neighbouring village of Barwell, says it'd be disgraceful if both villages were left without a bank.

'RBS are saying that it's not being used enough but they were the very people who reduced the hours a couple of years back making it less convenient for people,' he said.

'One of my first acts, newly elected in 2011, was to go into the branch and encourage them not to further reduce the hours.

But, even with reduced hours, there are still people who use it and rely on it, especially senior citizens and local businesses.'

Councillor Michael Mullaney, the Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman for Bosworth says, 'Given the huge amounts of public money given to the Royal Bank of Scotland during the Bank bailout they have a duty to support local communities.

This is the last Bank left in Earl Shilton and it would be a crying shame if it closed.

Not everyone banks on-line and many residents, particularly pensioners, prefer to bank in person at a branch.

It would leave a huge gap on Earl Shilton town centre if it were to close and I urge RBS to reconsider their plans.'

The petition can be signed here:
Http://bosworthlibdems.org.uk/en/petition/save-nat-west-bank-in-earl-shilton