Lymm to lose its last bank as Lloyd’s announce closure

LYMM is to lose its last bank in three months’ time when Lloyd’s close their branch at The Cross.
The branch is one of more than 100 in the Lloyd’s banking group – which also includes the Halifax and the Bank of Scotland – to close this summer with the loss of some 325 jobs.
It will close on July 4 – and Lloyd’s have blamed the changing ways customers choose to bank with them.
A spokesperson said:  “We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and have informed customers of the closest alternative branch, which is Horsemarket Street, Warrington.”
The bank says the majority of customers now regularly use alternative branches or use other ways to bank such as online and telephone banking to complete their banking needs.
“Sixty three of our personal customers already use other branches, such as Horsemarket Street Warrington branch.
“The branch has only 18 regular weekly personal and business customers   The Post Office is half a mile away and we will be proactively talking to customers about the service they offer.
“The nearest free to use ATM is a brief walk away.
“ Customers will have their accounts realigned to Horsemarket Street Warrington, and there will be no other impact to the way they manage their accounts.  They can use any branch for their banking needs, as well as utilising the other banking options available to them.”
The closure has angered local people – many of who transferred to Lloyd’s when the Lymm branch of Barclay’s closed last year.
They pointed out that Lymm lost its village centre post office only a few months ago and that the only other post offices are a car journey away on the outskirts of the village.
It is understood the parish council is talking to the owners of seven properties in the village about the possibility of them opening a new post office – but nothing has yet been agreed and many residents fear for the future of the village shopping centre.
One bank customer said he had yet to receive any communication from Lloyd’s about the closure despite the bank’s claim to have informed customers about the nearest alternative branch.