Bank has ‘let down local people’ with branch closure plans
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a town’s last bank from closure have met with their MP amid concerns some residents may have to travel up to an hour on public transport to the next nearest branch.
Lloyds announced plans to close 58 branches nationally earlier this year including the one on Main Street in Ponteland.
It comes after both NatWest and Barclays left the town in recent years, leaving Lloyds as the last bank branch still in operation.
Customers were advised they will be able to use the Lloyds branch in Newburn, but locals have said this is an hour away for those who do not drive.
Hexham MP Guy Opperman has backed a campaign set up by local resident and town councillor Christine Caisley to stop the closure in February next year.
Mr Opperman said: “Lloyds have seriously let down local people by closing the last bank branch in Ponteland. I am extremely disappointed that the bank hasn’t been able to come up with an alternative option that would safeguard access to cash and retain physical banking in the community.’’
Mr Opperman has now met with campaigners at the Lloyds branch in a bid to encourage as many people as possible to back Ms Caisley’s petition to stop the bank’s closure.
Mr Opperman said he has previously supported pilots of ‘banking hubs’ which provide those services for elderly and vulnerable residents – but adds that Lloyds have no such plans in this case.
Christine herself added: “I have to do this as a concerned resident. I am shocked Lloyds are prepared to close this, the only remaining bank in Ponteland. Lloyds say ‘By your side’ in their advertisement slogan. That’s a joke.”
The campaign has also been backed by Ponteland’s vicar, Revd Capt Paul Allinson, who added: “I would like to support this very important campaign to allow the resource of Lloyds Bank to remain within the heart of our community.’’