Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran has visited a bank branch to celebrate is 60th birthday.

Ms Moran visited the Nationwide in Abingdon's High Street and learned about the recently launched Safe Spaces initiative.

This offers a private room for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, including access to a phone and the chance to discreetly contact family, friends or Nationwide’s own specialist support team.

Thames Valley Police figures showed 30,375 domestic abuse-related crimes in the year to March 2023, the highest on record, while a recent poll by Nationwide shows that almost half (48%) the population have experienced domestic abuse or know someone who has.

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Ms Moran also learned about Nationwide’s branch promise, which says that anywhere Nationwide has a branch, it will still be there until at least 2028.

Following the visit on Thursday, Ms Moran said: “It is great news that the Nationwide branch in Abingdon will remain open until 2028, as part of Nationwide’s Branch Promise.

"It was a pleasure to visit the branch today. Many of my constituents tell me how much they value face-to-face banking, either because they need help with complicated issues or struggle to use online services and digital devices. I want every town and community to have access to cash.

(Image: Nationwide) The Abingdon branch is celebrating its 60th anniversary on the High Street this year. I look forward to many more years of Nationwide providing high street banking in Abingdon.”

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Katrin Prescott, branch manager at Nationwide in Abingdon, said: “Meeting Layla Moran was a great way to mark our 60th birthday.

"Layla and I chatted about the importance of branch services for the local community, including for people needing additional support through our new safe space. Branch service is for everyone and we’re here to stay.” 

There has been a trend for branch closures of high street banks in recent years.

Nationwide has bucked the trend by pledging to keep its 605 branches open until 2026.

The Lloyds Bank branch in Abingdon, Oxfordshire closed on July 24. The branch was located on Ock Street, between the Dil Raj and The Prince of India Indian restaurants. 

Lloyds Bank cited a decline in branch visits as the reason for the closure, noting that more customers are banking online or using the mobile app.

Lloyds customers are being encouraged to contact bank staff on 0345 300 0000, or use a mobile phone app, or internet banking.

The Lloyds Bank group, which includes Halifax and Bank of Scotland, will close 166 branches in 2024 and 10 next year.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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