Not long ago there was a branch of every major UK bank on Marlborough’s High Street. Now there is but just one – Nationwide (headquarters in Swindon). And Nationwide have recently celebrated fifty years of being on the High Street. To mark this milestone local East Wilts MP, Danny Kruger popped in to the High Street branch, ironically only a few doors along from where the other last bank – Lloyds – had it’s site until November last year.
Whilst there Danny took the opportunity to learn about Nationwide’s ‘Safe Spaces’ initiative, which 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.
Domestic Abuse ie endemic: recent statistics released by Wiltshire Police showed that one in six crimes in the county are related to domestic abuse, with and estimated 12,000+ reports in 2024. While a recent poll by Nationwide shows that almost half (48%) the population have experienced domestic abuse or know someone who has. It’s important. Nationwide are reacting in a way that can help.
Marlborough is also one of 200 Nationwide branches across the country to host dementia clinics for anyone affected by the disease, whether a Nationwide customer or not. The clinics are hosted by Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses as part of the building society’s Fairer Futures programme, with the next sessions in Marlborough taking place from 11-13 February. More information is available at dementiauk.org/nationwide.
Mr Kruger learned about Nationwide’s branch promise, which says that anywhere Nationwide has a branch, it will still be there until at least 2028.
Bryan Rumbold, branch manager at Nationwide Marlborough branch manager Bryan Rumbold said: “Meeting Danny Kruger was a great way to mark our fiftieth birthday on the High Street. Danny and I chatted about the importance of branch services for the local community, including for people needing additional support through our new safe space and our regular clinics with Dementia UK. Branch service is for everyone and we’re here to stay.”
Local author visits Preshute Primary School
