On 25 November 2016 Justin Tomlinson MP hosted a meeting at his office between Lloyds Bank and local representatives, to discuss the pending closure of the Lloyds Bank branch in Highworth.
It was clearly stated in the meeting that Justin and local representatives would like Lloyds Bank to review or reconsider their decision to close the Highworth branch.
Lloyds explained that the branch was no longer commercially viable. They – and many other banks – have an ongoing branch closure programme to reflect the decline in over the counter bank usage as customers switch to mobile or internet banking.
Typically, all branches are reviewed as their leases come up, so this may have been the trigger for action in Highworth. Justin Tomlinson MP also questioned why an advance notice to ‘use it, or lose it’ was not given in order to allow the local community to help make the branch more viable.
Several Lloyds Bank branches are closing or have closed in Wiltshire & Oxfordshire, so Lloyds have purchased a mobile banking van so each community will still have some access to a traditional counter service. Lloyds also promised to explore options in relation to ATMs and they have also written to all their customers to advise that their staff in branch can help support people to use internet banking.
Justin Tomlinson has asked that they make a donation to either The Hub, Library or The Bridge so Lloyds customers who want to gain basic computing training to access internet banking can do. Lloyds promised to consider this.
As is stands personal customers can bank over the counter at the Post Office but business customers can not. Lloyds have agreed to speak to the Post Office both locally and nationally to try to get this extended to business customers, which is vital for local traders. Justin Tomlinson offered his support for this measure.
A further meeting between Lloyds Bank and Highworth Town Council has been agreed to in the New Year.
