Lloyds Bank is reportedly unwavering in its decision to close a branch in Swindon, despite a campaign to prevent this from happening.
The branch on the High Street in Old Town is one of 28 earmarked for closure in February next year.
But locals, backed by South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander have mounted a spirited fightback over the decision, saying it will be a 'disaster' for the area and launching a petition.
Read More: Lloyds urged to reconsider closure of Old Town branch
Ms Alexander met with representatives from the bank last month along with councillors from Old Town and East Wichel to 'press them to reconsider their decision'.
In an update provided on her Facebook page, she revealed how the meeting went.
"Whilst the Bank was adamant that the closure would be going ahead, I have now asked LINK (the not-for-profit, national organisation that assesses bank closures) to carry out a review of access to cash in our community.
"I have made the following points about the importance of the Old Town branch:
"For many older people, the branch in Old Town is easier to access than the town centre branch due to the way in which you can be dropped off just outside the door (in contrast to the town centre branch).
"Whilst the distance between the Old Town branch and the town centre branch may not be enormous (as the crow flies), the presence of Victoria Hill in between them and poor bus services means it can be challenging for those with limited mobility to make that journey.
"The Old Town branch is a critical part of the wider business ecosystem in Old Town - it’s used by many local small businesses, but also acts as a reason for people to visit the area from outside of town who then visit the cafes and restaurants around the Wood St area."
You can find the petition to save the branch here - https://www.heidialexander.org.uk/lloydsbankpetition.
The former Swindon South MP, Sir Robert Buckland had also issued a statement calling for a banking hub to be established in the town, in addition to his push to reopen the now-closed pharmacy in the area.
"The proposed closure of Lloyds Bank in Old Town is yet another reminder of the fact that important local services like banking and pharmacy services must be preserved," he stated.
“I’m already working very hard to try and make sure that a Pharmacy reopens in Old Town for residents. And I'd like to do the same for banking.
“I think that we need a hub, where residents of any bank can use banking facilities locally, in a one-stop shop."
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Lloyds Bank in Swindon town centre closing for refurbishment
Read More:Maureen Johnston, 86, is one of the pensioners who says they will be disadvantaged by the closure.
Speaking to the Adver at the time of the closure announcement, she said: “It will be a disaster. Having the branch there was the ideal situation.
"I am 86. I can’t go running about all over the town. It is not in the customers’ interest.
“It's going to affect a lot of elderly people. I don't know what the elderly people here are going to do."
Lloyds says that 82 per cent of customers already use other banking methods, like mobile, internet or phone banking, as well as other branches.
It adds that transactions at the Swindon Old Town branch have fallen more than 57 per cent between 2019 and 2024.
A spokesperson suggested: “Customers can continue to manage their money online, by calling us, in person at the Brunel Centre branch, or the local Post Office on Victoria Road.”
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