Start planning for a bank HUB now urges businesses

n Continued from page Cllr Clive Jones, said before he stepped down as leader of the council to focus on his general election campaign:

“Wokingham Borough Council is heavily invested in the success of Wokingham town centre.

“The town centre has grown and grown at a time when town centres across the country are losing footfall and businesses are closing their doors.

“The council is committed to helping Wokingham town centre businesses and will soon have a dedicated town centre officer to provide business support to town centre businesses.

“We are supportive of any ideas that can help our local shops, including having a bank hub in the town centre.

“While setting up a bank hub is not something the council can do, we will be contacting the major banks and asking them to consider this.”

Businesses in Wokingham say they would welcome a hub as it would make cash transactions easier and encourage shoppers, especially the elderly, to come into the town rather do their shopping in Reading where there are more banks.

However, LINK, the UK’s Cash Access and ATM network, which operates hubs, said it can only start the process once all banks in a town have closed. This is getting closer as only Lloyd’s and HSBC are the only banks, while Nationwide and Newbury building societies have branches in Wokingham’s Broad Street.

Two years ago, HSBC closed its counter service, leaving Lloyd’s as the only traditional bank.

Phil Edgecombe who runs Phil’s Good Food store on Broad Street said: “There’s no doubt Wokingham needs traditional banking services. Elderly customers prefer speaking to someone over the counter and withdrawing money for their shopping.

“I think it would be better if LINK considered a hub before the last bank closed. I’d welcome them to start the process now.”

Carol Williams landlady at the Queen’s Head pub said cash transactions remain popular with customers: “We still take cash and need change so a bank is the best place for us.

“I’d hate to see Wokingham lose all its branches. We need banks in some form or other and the hub seems the way forward.”

A spokesperson at the Headmasters salon in Denmark Street added: “We have to use the Post Office more but we’d much prefer a bank.”

LINK has opened a number

Charity calls for less mowing

n Continued from front page

GOING: The Barclays bank in Wokingham will close this summer

Picture: Phil Creighton of hubs around the country as the major banks pulled out.

A spokesperson said High Street services could probably cease in most places within 10 years.

“As long as there is one bank left, we cannot do anything. When the last one goes, we can move in to assess the situation.

“If there is a Post Office still operating, then we have to be careful as we don’t want to put the other services it provides at risk.

“We estimate around five million people still rely on cash and counter services.

“It seems certain that Bank HUBS will become much more common around the country in years to come.”

They added: “We’ve already enjoyed some high temperatures this summer which turns overgrown grass and plants into kindling,” they said.

“It only takes one idiot to drop a cigarette butt or a smouldering barbecue tray left unattended to set a park alight. I don’t think that is protecting wildlife, more like encouraging a wildfire.”

Another blamed overgrown verges for causing an increase in traffic accidents.

She said: “In previous years, campaigns like this mean my view of the road is hindered when I back out of my driveway.

“Some of my neighbours have suffered minor bumps which increases their insurance while others have received terrible abuse from pedestrians who were obscured by unkempt grass. I think it is irresponsible for the charity to call for parks and roadsides to be left to grow wild.

“There is also the problem of rats which just love hiding in long grass and eating flowers. They don’t leave much for the bees.”

Andy Smith, spokesperson for the Berkshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England said concerns about the campaign were exaggerated: “Regarding grass verges, in the great majority of cases it is perfectly safe, and hugely beneficial, to allow grass to grow and wildflowers to flourish.

“We accept that management of roadside areas is a caseby-case decision and may depend on verge width, drivers’ sightlines and so on. However, it is worth noting that across the border in Surrey the county council has had a policy for the last few years of ‘re-wilding’ most of the roadside verges for which it has responsibility and there have been no reported problems resulting from this policy, which has been very popular.

“With regard to domestic gardens, there is much to be gained from a ‘no mow’ approach, and if some readers have concerns they should consider experimenting by leaving just some areas of their lawns unmowed but cutting other areas.

“Rats really are not an issue, but wouldn’t we all prefer to see more flowers, more bees and more butterflies in our gardens and along our verges?” n What do you think? Email your thoughts to: letters@wokingham. today

Arborfield market to make its return

A COMMUNITY group is gearing up for its next craft and food market on June 10.

The Arborfield Green Events Committee’s event takes place on the second Sunday of each month.

Food traders and craft businesses will occupy stalls, allowing visitors to explore the very best of what the area has to offer. The organisers are inviting those interested in showcasing their wares to get in touch.

The events take place from noon-4pm at the Arborfield Community Centre, Sheerlands Road.

n For more information, email: arborfieldevents@gmail.com

A chance to swap

EARLEY Town Council is holding a clothes swap, where people can bring items they no longer need and exchange them for others at the event.

People are invited to bring up to five pieces of clothing, and can take five home.

Clothes should have plenty of wear in them to be a good addition to someone else’s wardrobe.

The two-day event takes place at Earley Town Council offices, Radstock Lane today and tomorrow.

Doors are open from 9am to 1pm, and from 2pm to 4.30pm on both days.