Woodley banking hub appeal rejected despite huge petition

Residents and town officials first called for the neighbourhood to get its own banking hub after news spread that Woodley's only proper bank, a Lloyds branch on Crockhamwell Road, was closing on June 17.

Residents and town officials worried their elderly and less mobile neighbours could be left with reduced access to essential banking services.

The community still has a Nationwide branch that offers some banking services, but they are technically a building society rather than a full bank.

Campaigners called for the town to be given a 'banking hub', a space shared between various major banks with each bank offering services to customers on a particular day of the week.

However, when LINK carried out an assessment in February, they deemed 'cash access' in Woodley was sufficient, pointing to the Nationwide branch, post office provision, and ATM services.

Undeterred by the LINK assessment, the community rallied together to launch an appeal, and a petition calling for better banking services in Woodley was circulated among local shops.

The effort was spearheaded by residents Ronnie Goodberry and Jane Michelle and seemed to build up quite a bit of momentum, reportedly accruing approximately 4,000 signatures.

Tragedy struck in late April when Ronnie passed away, aged 66.

He was a tireless community figure and local legend in Woodley, known for launching a donation drive for those struggling during the pandemic, operating a food bank from his own home, and driving donated goods all the way to Ukraine.

He also featured prominently in Woodley's public life as a member of the carnival committee, the Woodley and Earley Lions Club, and a driver for the annual Royal British Legion remembrance service.

Ronnie did an interview with the Chronicle about the banking hub campaign and the appeal petition just days before he died.

The 66-year-old said he thought they had already reached 4,000 signatures, or were nearly there, and was positive about the breadth of support the campaign enjoyed from residents, shops, and local councillors.

Ronnie explained that he and Jane were spending several hours each day walking around Woodley, encouraging people to sign the petition, while many shops had agreed to host the petition so customers could sign on paper.

Ronnie and Jane would then collect the filled in sheets, stock the shops up with fresh copies, and deliver the signatures to the town centre management office.

Ronnie told the Chronicle he thought Woodley "definitely needed" a banking hub to ensure residents who were elderly, disabled, or otherwise less mobile would have full access to in-person banking services.

He noted many people are nervous to use online banking services because of potential scams, and stressed the challenges of completing complicated banking procedures via a screen or over the phone.

Ronnie, who had lived in Woodley for 20 years and said he himself had limited mobility due to health issues, predicted the area would become a "ghost town" if the banking hub appeal failed.

Former mayor and local councillor David Bragg (Conservative) told the Chronicle that Ronnie was "one of a kind" and "will be badly missed".

After Ronnie's death, David said, Jane carried on the hard work of signature gathering.

The approximately 4,000 signatures that were eventually sent off with the appeal, he said, were equivalent to between 15 and 20 per cent of Woodley's adult population.

David said LINK gave them "good feedback" on the appeal, but that it was ultimately still unsuccessful.

He too was adamant that Woodley needs a banking hub, especially now that the Morrisons Daily post office is likely set to close later this month.

David said in-person banking services are particularly important for vulnerable people without computers or mobile phones, as well as disabled people who otherwise have to face a bus ride into Reading and then the hassle of navigating from the station to their bank.

The councillor said there is still some hope, as the government has recently launched a review into whether better banking services are needed across the country (people can submit their views online).

David also believes the government are looking to invest in up to 200 additional banking hubs nationwide.

He said the campaign for Woodley's own banking hub is "just a little in limbo as to what is the next stage to take", but "we haven't let go, we are still working on it".

Jane, writing on a local community group after the appeal to LINK was rejected, said it was "such a shame we couldn't get this for the town and to also honour Ronnie, but we tried our best".

Speaking more recently to the Chronicle, she described Ronnie as "the town's hero" who will be "very much missed".

She was pessimistic about Woodley's chances of securing a "full" banking hub, but thought things might be reassessed now that one post office is closing.

"All I can say at present [is that] we are working hard ... and hopefully will have some positive news soon."