HARROW West MP Gareth Thomas has called on the public and private sectors to work together to support North Harrow following the closure of the taxpayer-owned Lloyds TSB branch.
On the last day of parliament before Christmas, the Labour MP addressed the House of Commons to urge the bank to work with Harrow Council to help promote North Harrow to new businesses.
Mr Thomas (pictured), who campaigned to try and keep Lloyds in Pinner Road, also demanded that the owners of the former Safeways site, now vacant for eight years, do more to attract new tenants.
Lloyds TSB closed its North Harrow branch in Pinner Road on December 17. The area came bottom of a recent survey on the viability of district centres in Harrow.
The former minister for international development said: "Concerns about North Harrow's viability as a district centre have been thrown into stark relief in recent days with the closure of its last major bank.
"Lloyds management cited the decline in footfall as the reason for shutting the branch, which is the only one that they have shut in recent months in the whole of London.
He continued: "The council and I have been in touch with Lloyds bank and we have pressed it, albeit unsuccessfully, to reconsider its decision.
"However, we have asked it to work with the local council to think about what it can put back into North Harrow to support businesses in the area.
"Secondly, we have asked the bank to look at how it can work with the Post Office to extend the range of services that Lloyds customers use."
The Post Office branch in North Harrow can be used by Lloyds TSB customers to make transactions, but Mr Thomas said he thought many residents were unaware of this.
Responding to the MP's comments, a spokeswoman for Lloyds told the Observer: "In this case there are two branches just over a mile and for customers in North Harrow we have an arrangement with the Post Office.
"The branch was closed after a review of our services."
But Lloyds TSB declined to comment on whether it will do more to support the North Harrow business community following its departure.
Local government and communities minister Andrew Stunell (Liberal Democrat) backed the call for Lloyds to do more to support North Harrow.
"I hope he [Mr Thomas] understands that I stand with him on that issue. Large chains, whether banks or retailers, should show some responsibility by investing in local communities," Mr Stunnell said.
"In this case, they are dis-investing in local communities. Their role is important and should not be overlooked."
Mr Thomas also took the opportunity to praise the small businesses still trading in North Harrow, such as "Britain's best fish and chip shop" and "a series of superb cafés, delis and Indian restaurants".
