I was disappointed by NatWest’s decision to close their bank branch in Exmouth on October 19.

I have written to NatWest on behalf of residents to express my concerns about the planned closure and seek assurances on NatWest’s plans for the branch’s dedicated staff. 

NatWest has pointed to Exeter as its nearest available branch. That’s a good 30-minute journey away and is fairly unrealistic for many customers to do regularly. 

As Exmouth residents will know, NatWest closing will leave four bank branches in the town: Santander and Nationwide on Rolle Street, TSB on the Strand, and Halifax in the Magnolia Centre. 

One in five people in Exmouth are aged over 65, an age group that data shows tend to use a bank branch more often. 

While more and more people are going cashless and online, I would go as far to say the history of bank branch closures across the UK is forcing people to change their habits. The number of bank branches has fallen steadily since the mid-1990s. 

I have written to the organisation behind banking hubs – LINK – to raise concerns about banking provisions in Exmouth. Banking hubs are a new solution to provide banking services when the last bank in town closes. 

I’ve been holding meetings to see how to set up banking hubs in East Devon. Banking hubs are an industry-led and government-backed solution to the closure of branches. 

Banking hubs are dedicated places where communities can access everyday personal and business banking services, such as withdrawing and depositing cash or paying in cheques, over the counter. They're also somewhere to speak in person with a member of staff from your own bank. 

Banking hubs are already confirmed for both Sidmouth and Axminster. Location scouting is well underway for a site in Sidmouth. I hope to have an update on both sites soon. 

Banks must stop washing their hands of providing core services to loyal customers on our high streets. I’ll continue to do everything I can to protect banking provision in our communities.