The last bank in Windsor has announced it will be putting £10,000 toward a 'pocket park' for the community.

Nationwide is the last banking branch in the town after HSBC and Barclays both closed in August last year.

To give back to the community, Nationwide has announced it will be donating to the Windsor Community Fund.

Residents were able to vote on how the fund is spent, choosing a ‘pocket park’ installation – which received 59 per cent of the vote

The fund, which was launched in February in conjunction with local charity Windsor Lions and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, pledged to donate money towards a local good cause, voted for by local people. 

For every current or savings account opened by a Windsor resident between February 27 and March 26, Nationwide donated £200 to the Windsor Community Fund, up to £10,000.

The pocket park initiative - which aims to bring an area of green space into the town centre – beat other initiatives such as a mural and more park benches around the town.

While some bank chains have collectively closed more than half of their branches, Nationwide states it values face-to-face service and last month extended its Branch Promise, that everywhere it has a branch it will remain there until at least 2028.

It now has the largest network by brand of any financial services provider, with 605 branches.

Nationwide’s new community fund marks the first of its kind and it is dedicated to supporting local people and projects.

Mandy Beech, Nationwide’s Director of Retail Services, said: “The Windsor Community Fund is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the local community that has stuck with us over the years, since our branch on William Street opened in 1979.

“A physical branch is not just about accessing money, it’s about being a part of the local community, supporting local people and businesses, and being there to provide a friendly, face-to-face service when our members need us.

Judy Salmon, Windsor Lions President, added: “It’s exciting to be working with Nationwide to give back to the community in a way that benefits all.

"At Windsor Lions, our mission is to serve the community by supporting local people, and this project is a great way to do just that – allowing local people to have a say in what public amenities would be most valuable to them.

"We can’t wait to see the final installation, and to open it up for the local public.”