Stop NatWest closing the Sonning Common bank

Sonning Common is one of the largest villages in South Oxfordshire with a thriving local economy within the Reading and Henley-on-Thames commuter belt. (Website: http://sonningcommonparish.co.uk )

  • It is one of the fastest growing villages/small towns in S.Oxfordshire with its own commercial centre, health centre and numerous thriving businesses.
  • It has been designated for compulsory expansion with a large allocation of homes to be built under the Local Development Plan.
  • It sits astride one of the main routes North of Reading and has a large commuting population to Reading and the M4 corridor.
  • It also has one of the largest populations of retirees and young adults who do not (or cannot have) access to modern IT services for electronic banking. They need a human face to help them with their banking.
  • Local businesses need access to secure cash and cheque depositing and also cash withdrawals.
  • Access to banking facilities is a critical part of the development of any society and the closure of this bank, after decades of being the only bank in the area, will harm Sonning Common and its catchment area of surrounding villages.
  • Their slogan "NatWest, Helpful Banking' does not lie well with the facts.
  • We call on NatWest to retain the Sonning Common branch, and relocate it to the centre of the commercial area of Wood Lane where access is better and the  footfall infinitely higher.

  • The local CEO of NatWest is 'Gavin Owens' and may be contacted by phone (07557-172188), or E-Mail at: gavin.owens@natwest.com.
  • Please support us to remain a thriving small town with a bank!