Halifax: Campaign to stop Normanton last branch closing

Hazel Rowley and Alan Wright, from Kirkthorpe, are petitioning for Halifax to keep its Normanton branch open

A pair of neighbours in West Yorkshire are campaigning to stop the closure of their town's only remaining bank.

Hazel Rowley and Alan Wright, from Kirkthorpe, started the petition after Halifax announced plans to close its Normanton branch on 8 July next year.

They have collected more than 4,000 signatures and said the bank "couldn't care less" about vulnerable customers.

Halifax said people increasingly banked online and visits to the branch had fallen over recent years. 

A spokesperson for the bank said when making the decision to close a branch, more than 100 different measures were used to assess the impact on the community.

These included ensuring there was suitable access to free-to-use ATMs, along with a nearby post office, the spokesperson said.

"When the branch closes in July next year, customers can continue to bank with us online, over the phone, in person at Castleford branch, or the nearby local post office on High Street," they added.

The number of bank branches across the Wakefield local authority district has reduced by half in the past eight years.

If the closure goes ahead, only Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford would be left with in-person banking services, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Worry and upset'

Ms Rowley, 67, said: "Many customers are elderly and disabled. One blind lady in her in her 90s broke down in tears.

"She won't be able to get on a bus to travel to Wakefield or Castleford. It has caused so much worry and upset.

"We knew we had to do something to try to stop this but we have been really surprised by the reaction."

Mr Wright agreed and said many local customers did not know how to use online banking or own mobile phones.

He said: "We spoke to one man who was going into the bank who had been scammed online and was desperate to speak to someone in person.

"I don't think Halifax realise the upset this causes so many people.

"They couldn't care less about pensioners and the disabled."

Halifax said that fewer people had been visiting the branch over recent years

The pair's campaign was discussed during a recent councillors' debate at County Hall in Wakefield, with calls for the local authority to take action.

Julie Medford, Labour councillor for Normanton, said: "The closures will affect older people who are more likely to be digitally excluded.

"People needs banks. The banks can afford the rent. They are letting people down."

All councillors voted unanimously in favour of the council to meet Bim Afolami, the economic secretary to the Treasury.

The motion also calls for a letter to be sent to Mr Afolami asking for steps to be introduced to make the banking industry engage with local authorities over any future planned closures.