Whenever they need a loan most businesses in Bridgwater and West Somerset call on the big UK banks.

But how many companies come away satisfied? Indeed how many come away with anything at all?

The reputation of British banking has been on the line ever since the collapse of Northern Rock and the scandal of  sky-high bonuses. Now the criticism is far more direct. British banks have been rescued by the taxpayer, are back in the black with avengeance, but are still failing to fire up the economy by lending to bona fide business interests. I am already getting depressing feedback from some companies about the way the big banks sometimes operate. I am increasingly aware of bank customers who get computer generated emails severely curtailing existing facilities. This is causing them to cut back just at the time they want to expand, increase profits and take on new staff. This is disgraceful.

I intend to act on all the evidence I receive and contact the top brass of the banks concerned. We cannot allow vital businesses to suffer because banks are failing in their duty. I want to hear from as many businesses as possible about specific incidents. Please feel free to e-mail me direct: [email protected] or take a few moments to complete this online survey:

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• http://www.bridgwaterindustrialists.org Invaluable contacts for business
• http://www.bridgwaterchamber.org.uk/  Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce
• http://www.aboutmyarea.co.uk/site/content.asp?area=133&story=128802 Minehead Chamber of Trade
• http://www.4networking.biz/ A very good local outfit offering contacts
• http://www.fsb.org.uk/somerset-and-wilts Federation of Small Business
• http://www.fpb.org/ The Forum for Private Business
• http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/regions.nsf/0/6eeda8e72af5e2ec8025673100613098?opendocument C.B.I
• http://www.connexions-somerset.org.uk/jobs/WorkinginSomerset.html A good guide to local employment
• http://www.unionlearn.org.uk/ulr/learn-1728-f0.cfm Union Learn - excellent scheme run through the unions
• http://www.probus.pipm.net/ Probus  - Bridgwater