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Evington credit union could get off ground in the New Year

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Residents in Evington are hoping to launch a credit union as the village loses its only bank branch.

The Santander agency branch in Downing Drive is scheduled to close by the end of the year as part of a closure programme affecting all its 139 agencies nationwide.

If the scheme is to take off, the community needs to find at least a dozen volunteers who can help to run and administer the scheme.

Evington resident Eamon Furey said: "The closure will hit a number of people who depend on the branch to carry out banking business.

"Many are elderly and do not have their own transport and are daunted by the prospect of having to travel into the city.

"Local businesses will be badly inconvenienced by the closure."

He said: "Having a facility where people can have and account and arrange loans."

He said that if the project gets the go ahead it is likely to operate under the umbrella of the locally based credit union Clockwise.

Since it was established in 2002, Clockwise has steadily grown.

A spokesman said: "We currently have over 8,200 active adult members with over £2.3 million of savings.

"We have nearly 850 Young Savers and Child Trust Fund (CTF) savings accounts with over £200,000 of savings and over 4,000 loans granted last year with a balance of £2.77 million in value."

It has a branch in St Nicholas circle in the city and branches at county towns.

Mr Furey added: "Credit unions are mutual financial co-operatives that take deposits and provide loans.

He said: "Clockwise are prepared to come to speak to us and provide training.

"We would need to have at least 12 volunteers. I am sure there are people in Evington with the requisite skills and experience to be involved."

Mr Furey has made initial soundings and is confident suitable premises could be found to operate as a base for the scheme.

The Santander branch was due to close in the summer but it was delayed by six months following the intervention of local MP Keith Vaz.

Hakim Khalifa has been running the joint Santander agency and the Post Office for 14 years and supports the idea of a credit union.

Mr Khalifa, who also owns the building, said: "We would like to see something start up as soon as possible and me and my wife would be willing to help the scheme."

Helen Pettman editor of the Evington Echo is a keen supporter of the credit union idea.

She said: "I am sure that the area would benefit from a credit union.

"I would encourage residents to think seriously if there is a need for such a credit union and if they are prepared to spare some time to help organise and run it."

People who are interested can contact Mrs Pettman by emailing evingtonecho@yahoo.co.uk or by calling 0116 220 4525.


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