In February, I wrote to NatWest to raise residents’ concerns about the closure of its branch on Field End Road. Disappointingly, it appears that this decision is final, which means that Eastcote will be without a bank on its high street from May.
The closest NatWest branches are in Harrow and Uxbridge, and if residents want to use a banking hub, they will need to travel to West Drayton. These are not practical alternatives for everyone, which is why I will be supporting local efforts to establish a banking hub in Eastcote.
To get the ball rolling, local Post Office manager Jay and resident Catherine came to meet with me at my Eastcote surgery, hosted by Bucket List Coffee, this afternoon. We discussed the benefits of a banking hub in Eastcote for both residents and business owners, and how we can work together with the community to move this idea forward.
In terms of immediate next steps, I will be speaking with colleagues in Westminster who have lobbied for a banking hub - both successfully and unsuccessfully - to see what we can learn. I will also be writing to LINK - as the decision makers - to ask where and when previous reviews have taken place in Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner.
I understand that Jay is already in discussions with Post Office colleagues, and I look forward to regrouping to discuss next steps over the coming weeks.
