Tim Farron calls for banking hub after last branch in Windermere announces closure

Commenting on the news that NatWest will be shutting its branch in Windermere in May, local MP Tim Farron said: “This bitterly disappointing news means that there won’t be a single bank branch left in Westmorland and Lonsdale outside of Kendal.

“Our local towns of Appleby, Kirkby Stephen, Coniston, Ambleside, Grange-over-Sands, and now Windermere have been totally abandoned by the big banks.

“Communities of thousands of people should be not be forced to travel dozens of miles to access vital local services.

“Over the past year or so we have seen banking hubs open in post offices in Cumbria in Ulverston and Maryport.  

“We desperately need banking hubs in Westmorland so that local residents, especially elderly and vulnerable people, have access to face-to-face banking services.”

Tim has written to the Chief Executive of LINK asking for the organisation to investigate opening banking hubs in Westmorland and Lonsdale.