Bank closure ‘pretty devastating’

The Gardens Westpac branch will close by early November. Photo: Gregor Richardson.
The Gardens Westpac branch will close by early November. Photo: Gregor Richardson.
The closure of the North Dunedin Gardens Westpac bank branch will impact the lives of elderly and families living in the area, business owners say.

On Wednesday,  Westpac confirmed it would close the Gardens branch, and 18 other branches including Ranfurly, Te Anau and Fairlie by early November.

FIRST Union Dunedin organiser Shirley Walthew said the union was discussing the possible ‘‘redeployment’’ of the North Dunedin bank’s three staff.

Two positions were available at banks in Dunedin, meaning two people would have to vie for the same role, she said. The announcement had devastated the staff.

"They knew that the walk-ins in the branch were down, but when you are looking at loss of jobs, it’s pretty devastating."

Valley Project secretary Steven O’Connor said a number of people had contacted the community organisation to express their disappointment about the decision.

"It is especially the seniors who will be affected by it.

"For them to get into town is going to be a major thing."

North Dunedin business owner Jo Beck  said she was disappointed Westpac did not consider scaling back hours at the branch.

"It could have been open 10-2.

"Surely there’s people out there that would be happy with a part-time job like that."

North Dunedin hairdresser Sue Wilson said she started a petition to save the branch.

However, the closure announcement was made days after the petition was started.

"Everyone’s pretty gutted about it because it sort of holds the community together."

The loss of the bank would also take away a social element for families and elderly in the area, business owner Ellen Macgregor said.

A Westpac spokeswoman said an ATM would remain in the area, and information about new banking technology would be available to customers over the phone and at in-branch seminars.

The spokeswoman could not confirm the exact date the branch would close.

margot.taylor@odt.co.nz

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