Call for City Council to be More Proactive, after Westpac Announces Closures

Waimairi Council candidate, Anthony Rimell, today expressed his disappointment at the decision by Westpac to close its branch at the Bishopdale mall, along with a number of others around New Zealand.

“For anyone who has a passion to see the North West of our city thrive, this decision is a major blow.

“The impending closure of the Westpac Branch at the Bishopdale Mall is of tremendous concern to me. Clearly, businesses need to make sound commercial decisions. But there is a deeper impact on local communities that needs to be weighed as well.

"It’s not just rural communities that suffer when banking services are withdrawn. Suburban centres suffer just as badly, as it draws people away from their local community. The Council needs to be proactive in supporting suburban shops. Christchurch is a city of villages, and walkable neighbourhood shops knit our communities together.

As councillor, I'll be focussed on working with the local business community to keep our neighbourhoods vibrant and exciting.

"It's a councillor's job to make sure essential services are available at the local shops. Waimairi needs a councillor focused on our local issues, not the CBD."

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