The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Lloyds Bank has announced it is to close its Holbeach branch in January 2019.
The company says less people are using the High Street establishment due to the “changing ways customers use to bank”.
A mobile branch will start to visit the town before the closure, but details as to when it will be in Holbeach are yet to be announced.
The branch’s customers have received letters about the closure this week which leaves Nationwide as the only bank or building society left in the town.
A Lloyds Bank spokesperson told The Voice: “We have made the difficult decision to close the Lloyds Bank High Street Holbeach branch in January 2019 due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in the branch being used less often.
“We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and will be speaking to customers about the new mobile branch service, which will be on the road before the branch closes, as well as their nearest alternative branch, which is Spalding.
“The new mobile branch service will provide a vital service to the High Street Holbeach area, by giving customers access to everyday banking services such as making deposits, withdrawing cash and paying bills.
“Customers can also continue to access their banking locally by visiting the nearby Post Office, which is a short distance from the branch.”
District councillor Tracey Carter heard of the closure after her mum Sandra received one of the letters today (Thursday, July 19.
Tracey said: “I feel extremely disappointed. It’s a blow for the town which has implications for the High Street.
“You used to see queues out of the door there but not when you walk past now.
“I am a realist and if something is not being used I appreciate businesses needs to do what it has to as well as look to continue to be loyal towards a town.
“My mum does not do online banking and given Holbeach’s more elderly demographic, I’m sure there’s a number that will be the same.
“It’s a shame there’s not further details of when the mobile banking unit will be in the town.
“Residents will be considering transferring to Nationwide if the want their banking to remain in town rather than wait until January to see where and when the mobile branch is going.
“Myself and fellow councillors Francis (Biggadike) and Nick (Worth) will look to speak to them to see if there’s anything we can do but it does seem closing branches is the way things are going.”
