PLANS to cut banking hours have been slammed as “the final nail in Corwen’s coffin”.
Gareth Jones, a businessman in the town, has hit out at Natwest after hearing the bank will be cutting its opening hours from five days a week to three days, as from February.
“I heard rumours back in October that the bank was going to cut its hours, so I contacted them and asked and they said there were no plans to do so,” said Mr Jones.
“But now there is a sign on the door saying, as from Monday, February 20, the bank will be open on a Monday, Thursday and a Friday from 10am to 2.30pm.
“It used to be open Monday to Friday from 10am-3pm.
“I’ve seen that the Ruthin branch is opening on a Saturday to enable people to do their banking, whilst we are in Corwen are losing the service for two days.
“It wouldn’t be so bad if it was open on a Saturday.
“Wednesday is an okay day, as it’s half day in Corwen, but Tuesday is busy and there is only one other cash point in Corwen, and if that’s down then no-one can get any cash.
“This is another nail in Corwen’s coffin,” he added.
Mike German, local CEO with responsibility for NatWest's Corwen branch said the decision to reduce the opening hours was taken in response to ‘reducing customer demand’.
“The workload at this branch no longer justifies the current opening hours,” he said.
“Critically, reducing hours will enable us to maintain a branch presence where we might otherwise have had to consider closure.
“The change ensures our staff are deployed at our busier branches in the area, at the busiest times.
“While we are reducing hours in Corwen, we have recently extended our opening hours in nearby Ruthin,” he added.
“This branch is now open for an additional six hours every week, including 9am-12.30pm on Saturdays.
“As well as using our other branches in the local area, customers can also now use banking facilities available through the Post Office network, and access cash and account services through the ATM network.
“For those wishing to bank with us by phone or online, these services are available 24-hours a day.”