Lloyds in Hanham
Lloyds is playing catch-up on its closure plans for the Hanham and Downend branches which were delayed because of the pandemic.
And Barclays in Fishponds is set to close next week .
We reported in February on Lloyds Banking Group’s proposals to close more than 50 branches including Hanham and Downend. At the time Lloyds said counters at the Hanham branch were 20% quieter than a year ago while at the branch in Badminton Road in Downend were 18% less busy.
The Downend branch had been due to close on 6th May and the Hanham one on 3rd June but they were kept open because of the health crisis. In May Lloyds told us: “Our priority at this time is keeping as many branches as possible open to provide essential services, so that customers can continue to access cash, and ensuring that those who are vulnerable or in financial difficulty can speak to colleagues.”
The Downend branch
Now Lloyds has announced that the Downend branch will close on 3rd March and the Hanham one on 17th March. The closure will leave Hanham without a bank.
The Unite union has criticised the decision: “The pandemic has highlighted the vital role our local bank branches play in providing an essential service to the community. These closures don’t just cut a vital service from communities but also force customers to travel further to stand in larger crowds of customers queuing outside busier branches.”
Customers who use the Hanham branch are advised that their nearest alternative Lloyds is in Kingswood while the closest Lloyds to Downend is in Fishponds Customers can also use their local Post Office for many everyday banking transactions.
Meanwhile the Fishponds branch of Barclays is closing on Wednesday 9th December.
Barclays says that the number of counter transactions has gone down over the last two years and “only 157 customers use this branch exclusively for their banking”.
89% of branch customers also use other ways to do their banking such as online and by telephone.
To keep a community focus and to ensure trade stays in the local area, Barclays says everyday banking can be done at the Post Office in Fishponds.
We recently reported that Barclays in Keynsham High Street is to close in February.
