You can bank on Dave!

 
Exasperated, Dave Fishwick made a decision. Because the banks weren’t serving his customers, Dave’s business was suffering. Dave felt this would only get worse and a host more people would be affected.

Dave is passionate about his town, Burnley, and decided to do what he could to keep it alive. So he set about starting up a bank. The ups and downs of his venture were recently broadcast on Channel 4. 

The Bank Of Dave had a host of problems, not least getting a licence from the FSA allowing Dave’s bank to accept deposits. Dave was also so keen on handing out loans to the sort of small businesses who had the squeeze put on them by the big boys that he was very quickly running out of capital.

Still, six months in he’s still trading. “I want to show that banking shouldn’t be about computers and ruthlessness, but about people and compassion,” said Dave. It is a noble ideal. And though there is a touch of naivety to it, you begin to wonder – why not? Why can’t Dave’s idea herald a seismic change? 

This is the next step after Occupy. It’s not enough to simply say ‘no’; in order to succeed you have to say ‘this way next’.

Dave’s not alone. There is a growing febrile impatience around the country. Though we are all following the Olympic flame, there is an issue over milk prices. Dairy farmers are operating at a loss and, like Dave, are not prepared to take it anymore. They are now looking for an alternative – fair pay for a service delivered. Which seems fair. 

After all the fears about G4S and security, how ironic it would be if a humble pint of milk caused more disruption to the nation as the Olympics grip.

Finally, a salute to Wiggo, the great Mod rouleur, the vainqueur in the world’s toughest race. May his sideburns grow long.

If you have any comments please email me at: paul.mcnamee@bigissue.com or tweet: @PauldMcNamee