Residents fear loss of last remaining bank and ‘further decline’ of high street

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

Residents are desperate to stop the proposed closure of their NatWest branch which would leave the area without a single bank.

The NatWest branch in Norbury is relied upon by the area’s large elderly population, as well as charities and small business owners.

The community opposition to the closure has been backed by Labour’s Croydon North candidate Steve Reed, who set up a petition that attracted 471 signatories. Residents across the area believe this potential closure demonstrates a “decline” of high streets in general and across Croydon.

NatWest is the last remaining bank branch on the high street, after Lloyds and Barclays pulled their branches out of Norbury last year.

Many of the closest remaining branches are either in Streatham, Croydon or Tooting. While bus services serve these routes, many people who cannot either afford or make long journeys have said they will be “punished” if the bank is to close.

Labour councillor Matt Griffiths, who represents the Norbury and Pollards Hill ward, said: “It really distils that sense of a steady decline of the high street. There are many reasons why we want NatWest to keep it open, it almost becomes a moral responsibility really.”

At an event organised by Steve Reed last Friday, residents explained why they decided to show their opposition to the proposed closure, with cash access being highlighted as a particular concern.

The bank is also used by several voluntary organisations that operate in the area. The Cassandra Centre, a domestic violence charity, has accounts with NatWest as it is the last remaining bank near its base.

As a charity, they have suffered from previous closures. They used to operate some of their services out of the old Lloyd’s bank premises before it closed down in recent years, and they have since not been able to find a permanent home.

Many residents mentioned that Norbury often feels “left behind” and “forgotten”, and said this latest incident was a symptom of that. Geographically, it sits in the far north of Croydon and is passed while en route to its larger neighbour Streatham.

Steve Reed, who held a talk outside the branch to a crowd of Labour activists and residents said: “Not that long ago this was the most prosperous part and Streatham wasn’t.

“We put a lot of investment into Streatham, negotiated with Tesco to build the superstore they also built the leisure centre as part of that. That all attracted more money and regenerated it.

“If Croydon council were doing the same kind of things we were doing in Streatham, there’s no reason that Norbury couldn’t be thriving like Streatham is thriving.”

Councillor Leila Ben-Hassel, who represents the Norbury and Pollards Hill ward alongside Griffiths, believes the Tory-run council could take more responsibility for the regeneration of the high street, but admitted change was needed at the national level.

She said: “The council has got powers with its local plans, but planning is too much down to national legislation. We need more powers to be given to local authorities.”

NatWest announced that closure could happen as early as July 23.

Anthony Boutall, Mr Reed’s Conservative competitor for the seat, has also launched his own campaign. In anticipation of the closure, he is supporting the growth of banking hubs in Croydon.

He said: “In Croydon South with Conservative representation, a new banking hub is arriving soon. It is being set up by an exciting new organisation called Cash Access UK, with the active support of their local Conservative representative, Chris Philp.”

Pictured top: Steve Reed with residents and Labour campaigners outside Norbury’s Nat West branch (Picture: Harrison Galliven)