Kwasi paid a visit Lloyds Bank on Staines High Street. The Branch had just been refurbished. He met the bank manager, district manager and staff in charge of small business lending. They had a good chat about retail banking and the local economy.
In an article for the Surrey Herald & News, Kwasi commented:
While many people use the internet to bank now, most still visit their local high street bank too. There is strong demand. Banks like Lloyds are also adapting by implementing new machines and technology. Lloyds in Staines is one of the most active of the bank's 19 branches in its Middlesex Group.
As everybody knows, the economic climate has proved very challenging over the last year. We talked about this at some length and the strain that has been put on people and businesses. However, and while it is always risky to overplay things, it was very pleasing to hear that green shoots of economic recovery are being seen. The feeling was that the economy will start to pick up over the next year.
It was particularly encouraging to learn that local businesses are expanding and thinking about expanding, and that new businesses are being set up.This confirmed to me what I always thought about the local area: we live in a highly commercial part of Britain, where traditionally there are lots of self-starters, people who are willing to take risks and stand on their own two feet.
While we are not out of the woods yet, looking forward, it's this spirit that will help the local area thrive and the wider economy recover.