MP anger over plan to close bank branches

The Lloyds Bank branch in Ivybridge is due to close next year

Seven bank branches are due to close across Devon and Cornwall in a move criticised by MPs.

Lloyds Banking Group announced it would close branches in Bideford, Camborne, Ivybridge, Okehampton, Penzance and Totnes from January next year. Halifax will also close its Camborne branch from 7 October.

Rebecca Smith, Conservative MP for South West Devon, said a significant number of customers still preferred to bank in-person.

Lloyds Banking Group said the way people bank had changed and they could still use their local Post Office and ATMs.

Lloyds said the following branches in Devon and Cornwall would close:

• Bideford, Devon on 13 January

• Camborne, Cornwall on 7 October

• Ivybridge, Devon on 14 January

• Okehampton, Devon on 25 March

• Penzance, Cornwall on 21 January

• Totnes, Devon on 8 January

Halifax's Camborne branch would close on 7 October, it said.

A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson: "The way people are banking has changed, as more than ever, customers are choosing to manage their money through our apps.

"Customers can use the nearby local Post Office for everyday banking, and access cash at free-to-use ATMs.

"Customers can also manage their money on our apps, online, by calling us, or at the new Banking Hub once it is up and running."

Camborne MP Perran Moon said he had received assurances the branches would not close until a hub is in place

Perran Moon, Labour MP for Camborne, said he did not get much notice of the bank closures.

"If they'd given me more time, I would have explained all of the really exciting things that are going to be happening in Camborne over the next 18 months," he said.

"I have had absolute assurances from the bank that those closures will not take place until there is a banking hub in Camborne.

"Particularly for older residents, we need to make sure that they can access cash, but also for local businesses... that's why we need to make sure that banking hub is set up and established before those banks close."

Caroline Voaden, MP for South Devon, said: "I am deeply disappointed that the Lloyds Bank in Totnes will be closing in January next year.

"This decision leaves Totnes without a physical bank and is the latest in a string of bank closures in South Devon.

"Protecting these services is crucial, especially for those who don't use mobile banking."

The BBC spoke to some passers-by in Totnes and Ivybridge about the closures.

Ms Ashcroft said it was a "real shame" to lose the bank branch

Emma Ashcroft, 42, from Buckfastleigh, said she was worried for elderly residents in Totnes.

"They need to go into places, especially the ones that can't use the internet," she said.

"I much prefer going in to the branch and speaking to people, using the services that they provide.

"It's a real shame."

Robbie Andrews, from Ivybridge, said the closure would be "hard" for people who do not want to use apps and online banking and described it as "digital discrimination".

Mr Rodriguez said he moved banks to Lloyds because of its physical presence in the town

Totnes resident Miguel Rodriguez said he banked with Lloyds as he believed the branch would remain following a refurbishment.

"It [the closure] has taken me by surprise," he said.

"We were with another bank which closed down and then this one was being remodelled.

"We said, 'OK, this means they're going to stay, they're not going to spend a bunch of money on remodelling the place only to close it down'.

"It looks like they are doing that."