Mayor of Whitland, Clr. Mrs. Vivienne Morris, has spoken out against plans by a national bank to cut its opening hours in the town.

"The people of Whitland and the surrounding area are devastated at the news that their branch of NatWest is reducing its opening hours to one day a week, 10 am - 3 pm," said Clr. Mrs. Morris.

"Many people in the town have banked with NatWest all their lives and many businesses bank there as well."

She continued: "It is all very well promoting internet banking, but most people do not trust the security of this type of banking. Many people do not know how to use a PC to conduct their personal finances.

"Our population trust the personnel at the bank; they feel confident and secure discussing their personal finances face to face.

"The bank helps our elderly population maintain their independence and they feel safe visiting the bank being able to talk to the cashier. Having a bank where you know the personnel and the personal touch individuals experience engenders confidence in the banking system."

Clr. Mrs. Morris added: "The reduction of hours will discourage people to place their hard earned money with NatWest. It will effect the economy of Whitland as people will need to go to the nearby towns of St. Clears (five miles away) or Narberth (eight miles away) and will then do their shopping there.

"Both of these towns charge for car parking; there is a cost for fuel and this will also increase Whitland's carbon footprint.

"Our elderly population will lose some of their independence and will find it difficult to manage their finances. Businesses will find that it is less secure having to keep takings for a week and will bank elsewhere.

"Whitland has only one bank, NatWest. St. Clears has three banks and Narberth has three banks. I understand the hours are being increased in Narberth and decreasing in St. Clears to three-and-a-half days (including a half day on Saturday) and decreasing Whitland to one day a week. This seems rather unbalanced as Whitland is being regarded as tiny village, rather than a town serving a population of around 2,000 people (this includes the immediate surrounding area).

"The St. Clears and Narberth population have a choice of banks; we only have NatWest. Surely in light of these facts NatWest should reconsider their decision and reinstate the hours to the current situation or share the hours equally between St. Clears and Whitland offering a variety of opening times, such as open on a Saturday morning, open early one day a week, e.g. 9 am, open late one evening until 6 pm and open one day of normal hours. This will access more people and the population of Whitland could be encouraged to bank with NatWest. As the phrase goes, use it or lose it."

And Clr. Mrs. Morris asked: "If the hours are reduced so drastically in Whitland, it will encourage individuals not to bank with NatWest due to lack of accessibility. Is this the aim of NatWest?

"Whitland will have a sense of isolation as having a bank in the community is a positive sign; the reduction of the hours will be a sign of decline, just when Whitland is starting to be revitalised.

"New businesses are opening in Whitland and current ones are thriving: the Proper Welsh Milk Company recently opened a bottling factory in Whitland and will employ up to 40 people; two new shops have opened and a third is preparing to open; the NHS dentist brings a lot people into Whitland and is only across the road from the bank."

Clr. Mrs. Morris has invited a representative from NatWest bank to visit Whitland to explain the reasoning behind the decision and listen to the views first hand. The town council have written letters of objection, produced a petition and a letter for people to sign.

The petition and letter is being brought door to door by all of the town councillors and can also be found in all of the shops (the letter is available in the pound shop, the newsagents and Comfort Zone bakery).

Concluded Clr. Mrs. Morris: "I urge those in Whitland and the surrounding area to sign the petition and letter produced by the town council. Contact your town councillor or me, the Mayor, if you have difficulty in accessing the petition. I can be contacted on 01994 240660.

"I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the town councillors and the shops in town for encouraging people to sign the petition. Thank you also to those who have already signed the petition and letter."