Launceston bank closures a 'disaster' for town

The Lloyds Bank in the town is due to close on 12 May, with branches of Halifax and Santander due to close in June

Businesses and bank customers in a town in Cornwall say they are concerned about banking access after three banks announced branches were to close within a month.

Lloyds' branch in Launceston is due to close on 12 May, with the Halifax branch due to follow on 3 June and Santander's closure being announced for 16 June.

Traders said they were concerned closures would affect footfall, hitting businesses, while customers said they would have to travel further for services.

Spokespeople for the Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Lloyds and Halifax, and for Santander UK, said more people were using online facilities, and that Post Offices offered counter banking services.

Lloyds customer Mary Alford said the closure was a "disaster really, especially for the town".

She said: "It's so handy, especially for older people like me. We want to go and do things, talk to people rather than online; and, yes, very, very disappointing.

"I have to travel 16 miles [25km] to get here and I will have to travel further if I wish to do business with Lloyds Bank."

Lloyds bank customer Mary Alford said the closure of the branch was a "disaster really"

Merwyn Quick, owner of Quick and Son flooring, said: "People are coming into town usually to put money in or take money out... if you take the banks away, what other reason is there to come into town.

"We need the footflow, we need the people"

Craig Chapman, who owns hairdressing salon Hub Cornwall, said: "As a business, we get charged business fees on all of our accounts.

"The fact that there isn't a business advisor to be able to visit I just think is outrageous... our fees are the same or increasing and I think that side of banking is absolutely disgraceful."

Philip Warren butchers is one of the biggest employers in the area with more than 100 staff.

Managing director Ian Warren said: "It's not going to help businesses in the town.

"The reasons for coming into a market town would be to come in and do your banking, Post Office, etc, so it's not going to do the town centre much good."

Hairdresser Craig Chapman, owner of Hub Cornwall, said it was a shame the branches were closing

A Lloyds spokesperson said: "More than 76% of our personal customers of the branches already use other ways of banking, such as mobile, internet or phone banking, as well as other branches.

"After the branches close, we will have a community banker visit the area, who will continue to offer face-to-face targeted support for as long as the community needs it.

"We will discuss with local communities which locations would be appropriate for our community banker to set up in, and on which days."

It also said: "The local Post Office offers everyday banking, with cash also available at close by free-to-use ATMs."

Santander included its Launceston branch in plans to close 95 banks across the UK announced earlier this month.

A spokesperson for Santander UK, said: "Closing a branch is always a very difficult decision and we spend a great deal of time assessing where and when we do this and how to minimise the impact it may have on our customers.

"However, we believe that the introduction of our new community bankers... alongside the rapid and innovative improvements to our award-winning mobile banking app, will provide the right balance of digital banking and human interaction when required."