Protesting the loss of local Cambridge Building Society branches

3 March 2009

As reported in the Cambridge News, Coleridge Councillor Lewis Herbert recently met Cambridge Building Society Chief Executive Stephen Mitcham to protest the planned closure of their Cherry Hinton Road branch, following our Coleridge Labour letter challenging the shock announcement. The branch is relied on by so many locally, including older people. Here is the text of the letter:

Dear Mr Mitcham

This is a very popular and accessible branch and its closure will upset a lot of people in the local community, particularly as the suggested nearest branch in the middle of Cherry Hinton village is well over a mile away, and no good for local people and pensioners without cars.

As a regular customer there myself for many years, I know that there is often a queue and rarely remember calling in when there are no other customers.

And as a local ward Councillor, I have to ask the base for this decision.

1. What are the criteria for closing it?

2. What is the turnover at the Cherry Hinton Road branch?

3. Did you assess it like Post Office closures were assessed? (where there is at least clear criteria and consultation, even if we didnt agree re the closure of the St John's Post Office on Hills Road)

4. Are there to be further branch closures?

Overall, Cambridge Building Society delivers an effective, traditional service, a far cry from the building societies that were privatised in the early 1990s. Local Councillors hope it will continue to do so, with an accessible branch network.

Regards Councillor Lewis Herbert

FOLLOW UP

Following the publicity, Labour Councillors and Tariq have been contacted by many concerned residents.

We are challenging the policies behind this decision, and their future plans. Whether or not its too late to change this decision is now over to them. Contact us with YOUR comments, and join us also at the next Society AGM.