LLOYDS Bank still have much to do if they want to justify the closure of their branch in Fairford in November and customers, the local town council and MP should do all they can to stop it.

So far Lloyds have written a letter to customers and published facts about decreasing footfall in the branch over the last few years and it appears they think that’s enough.

But Lloyds also say when closing a branch they will adhere to the ‘British Bankers Association Access to Banking Protocol’, which requires them to engage with the community, assess local impact and the availability of alternative ways to bank, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable, who don’t/won’t/can’t use auto teller machines and online or mobile phone banking and, if without their own means of transport, must rely on an ever-shrinking bus service to get to the nearest branch 7.8 miles away from Fairford. 

To date Lloyds have failed to adequately address any of these issues.

Last month letters were posted to branch personal customers saying they can use the local Post Office, which has one till position compared to the branch which is normally manned by two cashiers.

Lloyds also offered the ATM inside the local Londis store as an alternative which, unlike the Lloyds 24-hour cashpoint outside the branch and serviced by the bank, is only available during store opening hours and is notorious for being ‘out of service’.

Both unsatisfactory options.

Customers now await the Impact Assessment Report Lloyds must produce as part of the protocol, to see how much new business and customers they think will be attracted by the projected 35% increase in the town’s population over the next five years.

Also crucially (and ironically), the population increase in Fairford may also threaten the small local Royal Mail sorting office that shares the building with the Post Office. If the sorting office can’t accommodate the growth and closes, it could also make the Post Office’s existence untenable.

So Lloyds, please treat your customers in Fairford with some respect and honesty.

You have questions to answer, an Income Assessment Report to publish before possible closure and a need to consult with the local community and town council please fulfil your obligations to the people who have made your business profitable over many years.

David Taylor
Fairford