Bank annouces autumn closure of valleys branch
LLOYDS Bank has confirmed it will close one of its valleys branches for good later this year.
The branch at 10 High Street, Tonyrefail, will close its doors permanently on October 12, 2016, with the bank saying the number of personal customers using it is dropping by 21% each year – it only has 54 regular weekly customers at the moment.
Tonyrefail West councillor Eudine Hanagan has written to Lloyds Bank’s South Wales area director to oppose the decision, while a meeting was arranged at a local pub on Monday so local people can discuss how best to oppose the move.
A spokeswoman for Lloyds Bank said: “We have made the difficult decision to close the Tonyrefail branch on October 12, 2016. This branch has been identified for closure because of the changing way customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in customers using it less often.
“The majority of customers also now regularly use alternative branches or other ways to bank such as online and telephone banking to complete their banking needs.
“We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and have informed customers of the closest alternative branch.”
The bank added that 81% of the Tonyrefail branch’s customers already use other branches, while customers will have their accounts realigned to the Pontypridd branch on Market Square.
Coun Hanagan, in a letter to Lloyds Bank area director Jason Evans, said: “This branch provides vital services to local residents and will disenfranchise many people from accessing banking facilities. This closure is likely to have a major impact on footfall and as a result may potentially harm the local economy of our town centre.
“I am fully aware from the away other closures have been conducted locally that it is highly unlikely that the concerns of the community will alter the decision you have taken.
“I would urge you to reconsider your approach and speak to the many that will be affected before making a final decision.”
Matthew Farr, owner of the Boars Head pub in Tonyrefail, added that he was disappointed with news of the closure.
He added: “When I heard the news I was really disappointed, both as a business customer and as a personal customer of the bank. I know I’m not alone.
“I will be holding a meeting at the pub on Monday, July 4, at 7pm, so people can get together and see if there’s any way we can change the decision.”