Next summer will see the closure of the Dartmouth branch of NatWest bank, leaving the town with only a building society and the post office – neither of which offer comprehensive banking services.

I understand the logic of closing branches that are unable to justify their position within the branch network.

However, I do not believe this to be the case with NatWest Dartmouth.

Over the last couple of years, first HSBC and then Lloyds closed their Dartmouth branches, with many of their customers transferring to NatWest – the only bank in town.

I used the HSBC branch and was not surprised to see it close, it was almost a ghost branch. The NatWest branch is a different kettle of fish. I seldom find the branch empty and often have to queue, even when two cashiers are attending to customers.

Looking at the list of NatWest closures, I see a geographical consolidation.

True many branches are under performing but I very much doubt that this is the case here, where at the moment it is he only bank in town.

Alan Cole

Beacon Road, Kingswear