Town 'shocked' at loss of its only bank

The branch in Bedlington is one of two closing in Northumberland, the other is in Amble

People living in a town which is about to lose its only bank say it will hit pensioners the hardest.

TSB bank is closing 36 branches including the one on Front Street in Bedlington, Northumberland.

Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery, whose constituency includes Bedlington, has called for a debate in the House of Commons on the impact of high street bank closures.

But TSB says the way customers use banks is changing, with 95% of transactions made by mobile or online.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Lavery said TSB's decision to close the town’s last branch will make Bedlington "a banking desert".

"There are still "lots and lots of people, mainly vulnerable people who depend on high street banks." he added.

James Bell, 79, says he has been using the branch for decades

The decision follows a similar situation in Alnwick, Northumberland, with Lloyds and Halifax both announcing plans to close branches there according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service

In 2023 the town of Seahouses lost its last branch when Barclays closed there.

James Bell, 79, said he has used the cashpoint at Bedlington TSB "for years".

He added: "I'm really shocked. There are people who come here to take out their pensions, access their saving schemes, where are they going to go?"

Billy Fiddes described the situation as depressing

Another customer Billy Fiddes, 71 said he used the bank "all the time".

"If you don't like doing online banking, which I don't because of all the scams, what do you do?

"There used to be banks and building societies in almost every other doorway in Bedlington.

"My generation is just being left in the lurch."

TSB has insisted it was still “committed” to face-to-face services across the country, but said just 13 personal customers and four business customers regularly use the Bedlington branch.

The nearest alternative branch is five miles away in Morpeth.

Additional reporting by James Robinson, Local Democracy Reporting Service.