Trowbridge Nationwide branch smashed by car to remain closed

On Friday, March 14, shortly before 2:30pm, a Honda ploughed through the shop window of the Nationwide branch on Castle Street, Trowbridge.

The bank has since been boarded up, with a notice taped to the front of the bank reading: “The branch is currently closed, we are working as quickly as possible to re-open”.

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The notice on the front of the branch. (Image: Newsquest) Now, the building society – which provides many retail banking services – has confirmed that the extent of the damage will see it remain shut for up to two months.

In a statement to the Wiltshire Times, a Nationwide spokesperson said: “Due to the extent of the work needed to repair the branch following the incident we anticipate the branch will re-open end May/beginning of June.”

The planned date will mean that the street has been without its key bank for more than two months following the incident.

No serious injuries were believed to have been sustained during the incident and it is understood that the building society was closed at the time of the smash.

Police closed the 20mph road while the vehicle was recovered, and this closure was lifted later that evening.

Speaking to the Times after they helped rescue the driver from the vehicle and alert emergency services following the incident, the landlords of the neighbouring Court House pub said they were warned about the extent of the damage that had occurred in the bank.

Ms Sheila Smith said: “The fire brigade told us to evacuate the pub because the car might have been on the electrics.”

The scene of the incident on Friday, March 14. (Image: Trevor Porter) A Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Firefighters were called to Castle Street, Trowbridge, at 2.26pm on March 14 after a car crashed into a commercial premises.

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"One crew from Trowbridge attended and assisted with scene safety.

"Colleagues from Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Council also attended, along with the electricity board. The stop message was received at 4.15pm."

In the aftermath of the incident, a spokesperson for the building society said: “Following an incident at our Trowbridge branch on Friday we are working hard to get the branch up and running again as quickly as possible.

“We will update customers when we have more information. We have Nationwide branches in Warminster, Devizes, Frome and Chippenham. Customers can use our branch finder tool on our website to find their nearest branch.”