Back in February 2010 and faced with certain closure, Radstock's NatWest bank was given a reprieve. Due to the strength of community feeling, the bank backed down, saying it had listened to local residents and businesses and decided to keep the branch open. At the time, it was a real 'people power' victory. Now, four years later and with recent refurbishment and modernisation at Midsomer Norton's branch, it seems Radstock's branch will now close for good.

Customers and local businesses have been written to by the bank, explaining the decision to close the Radstock branch on 8th August this year. It says it was a 'difficult decision' and that it remains 'committed to serving the local area'. With the Norton Radstock Regeneration project finally set to go ahead, the bank is being criticised for leaving the town, when there could, in future, be over 200 new homes and businesses arriving.

A spokesperson for NatWest blamed the rise of alternative ways to bank. "The number of customers using this branch has dropped by nearly a fifth over the last few years, as more and more of them use alternative ways of banking with us. This includes by telephone, in Post Offices, by app and online. The branch is open 22.5 hours a week and only 62 customers regularly use the branch.

"Over our whole branch network, there has been a 30% drop in branch transactions since 2010, as people do their banking when and where it is convenient for them.

"We are taking a number of measures to ensure that our customers will still have access to banking in the area. We have an arrangement with the local Post Office (based inside Radco), that allows our customers to withdraw cash, check balances and pay bills, free of charge. We also recently announced that, in the coming months, our customers will be able to deposit both cash and cheques in any of the Post Office branches.

"For customers who have basic bank accounts with the Radstock branch, they will have their restrictions lifted and will be able to use ATMs from other banks in the area.

"If customers are concerned about how this closure will impact their banking, they can go into the branch, where staff will be happy to discuss the alternatives."

The changes mean that for many, who may have no access to transport, their nearest NatWest branch is nearly two miles away in Midsomer Norton. It will mean another building standing empty in a town that needs services to support new housing.

Following the news, a petition was launched last Saturday in an attempt to save the branch. Cllr Lesley Mansell, Chair of Radstock Town Council, said: "This is a hammer blow to small businesses and people who don't like internet banking. Many residents see this as yet another loss of jobs and withdrawal of services.

"The NRR development is due to go ahead over the next few months and that will see 200 more houses in the town, meanwhile, more are planned in the area. The lack of a Core Strategy means that developers have earmarked Radstock for even more housing, and there seems to be no plans to build the infrastructure like the transport system, or to establish jobs."

"The bank is overlooking the fact that the newly-built houses in Westfield and the number planned means that more people will need an account," added Councillor Eleanor Jackson. "This proposal does not make sense. Further, this building is central and accessible for disabled people, so it is a valuable asset to lose."

The Councillors also argue that the £1 million of Lottery money due to be released to Radstock and Westfield will also need to be handled by a local bank.

"The petitions are available in the shops and the Working Men's Club," said Jo Milling, Chair of Radstock Town Traders. "Small businesses need the local bank and are often operated by one person, who can't afford the time to go elsewhere."

The petition is due to be sent to the Chief Executive of NatWest bank. Nearly thirty years ago, there were three banks in Radstock – NatWest, a sub-branch of Midsomer Norton's Lloyds and a Co-op bank, Handybank.