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In Leek a blue plaque on the town’s Halifax branch proudly commemorates Sir Enoch Hill, who was born in the town and transformed the building society in the early 20th century. But a century after Sir Enoch headed up the banking giant, there is little else to indicate Leek ever had a Halifax.
The branch closed its doors to customers for the final time earlier this month – one of nine across England and Wales to shut in the first week of June. By this week the signage has been removed from the Derby Street building and the cash point boarded up – and a for sale sign had been put up in a first floor window.
This week saw another bank closure in the town centre. Further along Derby Street, NatWest, housed in an attractive landmark building, displayed signs informing customers the branch was now closed, below intricate wooden door carvings.
A striking stone carving above the door reveals the building’s past as part of Manchester and Liverpool District Banking Company. A passer-by reflects: “That was back when there was a pride in buildings and people had pride in a bank manager serving them.
“Everywhere you go now it’s shut – Lloyds Bank in Ashbourne is closing. They’re forcing us down a road I don’t want to go down.”
A statement on NatWest’s website says: “Banking has changed dramatically in recent years, with an increased demand for mobile and online services, as our customers benefit from a faster and easier way to bank. Closing a branch is a decision we take very seriously.
“We know it can affect those less confident with the alternatives we offer. We’ll always work hard to guide and support you through the changes and find the best way to serve you from now on.”
A Halifax spokesperson said: “Over 20 million customers are using our apps for on-demand access to their money, and customers have more choice and flexibility than ever for their day-to-day banking. Alongside our apps, customers can also use telephone banking, visit a community banker or use any Halifax, Lloyds or Bank of Scotland branch, giving access to many more branches.”
Not everyone has welcomed the move to mobile or online banking however. And card payments may seem convenient but they come at a cost to retailers, who incur transaction fees.
Across the road from the Natwest branch Angela Golding, working at the Delia Metcalfe clothing shop, speaks of the effect of bank closures on the store’s older customers. She said: “Ladies used to go across to NatWest and draw their cash out – the Post Office is too far for some of them to walk.
“It’s not just Leek people – ladies come from Cheadle, Macclesfield and Buxton and everyone uses the banks. We like the cash because it stops the card machine fees.
“Older people like to give cash to their grandchildren. Everybody needs cash and we all use it.
“It’s terrible to lose two banks, especially the NatWest, and it has a knock on effect on everybody. It’s such a shame to have that building go to rack and ruin.”
Another town centre shop that welcomes cash transactions is Mosaic Boutique in Sheep Market. Jason Smith and Stephen Lanza, who run the store, described the bank closures as “shocking”.
Mr Lanza added: “They have taken the cash machine out of the Halifax already. But a lot of people are reverting back to cash.
“You know what you are spending when you use cash. What people don’t realise is when you pay by card the retailer is not even getting the full amount.”
Outside at a nearby cafe, Allan Clarke is “not very happy” about the closures either. “I have been with NatWest since I was 16 and I’m 75 now” he said.
“I wonder what is going to happen to the building – it wants to be something like a town hall. You used to be able to go and see a bank manager, now we can’t even get in the building.”
Rob Furmston points out that there was even a second Natwest branch in the town at one point – and now there are none. “It’s just a shame”, he added.
The pair say they they have been advised to go to the Post Office for banking services in the town in the future. An online search reveals that the High Street branch offers cash withdrawal and deposit services, as well as a place to deposit cheques.
Leek still has a branch of The Co-operative Bank. And a sign at the entrance to the town declares it is the home of Leek Building Society.
In other market towns that have lost their banks, such as Stone, “banking hubs” have opened to provide services to residents. Stone’s final bank branch shut last year, when the High Street Lloyds closed its doors in September, and a year ago the Frank Jordan Centre in Lichfield Street began hosting a banking hub, which is provided by Cash Access UK.
The facility enables customers to continue accessing counter services, such as depositing cash and cheques, paying utility bills or withdrawing funds, with representatives from five different banks attending on weekdays. Planning permission has now been granted by Stafford Borough Council for the banking hub to move to a more permanent home at a former betting shop in Stone High Street.
In Cheadle a banking hub also operates. Located in the High Street, it is open 9am to 5pm on weekdays, with representatives from Santander, Barclays, HSBC, Natwest and Lloyds attending on one day each during the week to provide community banker services.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s leader Mike Gledhill pledged to speak to NatWest and Halifax bosses earlier this year about the closure of Natwest and Halifax in Leek. He also attended a public meeting organised by the group Campaign to Save NatWest Leek.
Speaking in February he said: “Leek and district residents are very concerned about the decision taken by NatWest and Halifax to close their high street branches in the town. Along with other Leek councillors I met with them and listened to their views.
“We have concerns about customers who rely on face to face contact for their banking needs and cannot use internet or telephone banks, especially older people and about our many small businesses and traders who are cash dependent and could lose a vital service. The NatWest building is a beautiful, listed part of Leek’s heritage and now under threat.”
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