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Senior Lloyds Banking Group staff have confirmed that they will go ahead with plans to shut the last remaining bank in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
Following an ‘urgent’ meeting with councillor Jason Zadronzy, officials stated that their customers would still be able to access their bank services at the post office.
Last week the company confirmed that it would close 48 branches in 2022; revealing it will shut down its Kirkby-in-Ashfield site on February 7.
As many as 178 members of staff will be affected by the upcoming closures, and many Kirkby customers will be transferred to a different bank.
Councillor Zadronzy said that a post office is no substitute for a bank that serves 211 customers throughout Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
He said: “It’s clear that the Lloyds Banking Group have already made their minds up.
“I’d like to thank the senior officials for taking the time to speak to me. They said however, that the branches 211 regular customers at the branch can still use their services at the Post Office.
“This is not however strictly true – yes customers can deposit and withdraw money at the Post Office, but they are unable to discuss their mortgage, switch savings accounts or make complaints.
“The other problem is that Post Office staff are not banking experts. Our Post Office has always complemented Lloyds but are not a like for like replacement.”
The bank, in Station Street, has stood for generations.
Lloyds have claimed that they are investing in the Sutton-in-Ashfield branch and that their store in Hucknall is safe.
A Lloyds Bank spokesperson said: “We have made the decision to close the Kirkby-in-Ashfield branch on 7th February 2022 due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which means the branch is being used less often.
“Customers can continue to bank locally by visiting the nearby Post Office, which is less than half a mile from the branch. The nearest alternative branch is Sutton-in-Ashfield.”
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