A Swindon bank customer hopes that its impending closure will not go ahead.
Josie Lewis, from Wroughton, felt compelled to write in to this newspaper after a recent visit to the Old Town branch of Lloyds Bank.
She said: "Lloyds Bank intend closing the Old Town Branch in February 2025.
"It suggests it is not worth their while keeping it open because "few people now use the branch"
"Well, I went in there about 1pm on a recent Monday and it was heaving!
"There was a queue of customers possibly eight to 10 metres long!
"Clearly people still use the branch.
"I have written to Lloyds a month ago to say it was completely not acceptable to close Old Town branch.
"I stated people used the Old Town branch because of convenient and safe parking.
"I also raised the concern that, with Swindon's rough town centre, it would not be long before customers (businesses especially) would get mugged on the walk from the car park to the Regent Street branch.
"I also reminded Lloyds that it was alright for them. Their money gets delivered to the door by a security vehicle and staff.
"The van conveniently drives down the pedestrian precinct, parks outside Lloyds, and a security person takes money in and brings money out.
"The public do not have the benefit of such privileges and public safety is of core importance.
"I got no reply! I have now written to the CEO to raise my concern.
"I shall write again to tell the CEO that Old Town branch was heaving when I visited, which proves the branch is still popular with customers."
The branch on the High Street is one of 28 earmarked for closure in February.
In October, locals, backed by South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander mounted a spirited fightback over the decision, saying it will be a 'disaster' for the area and launching a petition.
Lloyds says that 82 per cent of customers already use other banking methods, like mobile, internet or phone banking, as well as other branches.
It adds that transactions at the Swindon Old Town branch have fallen more than 57 per cent between 2019 and 2024.
Once the bank is closed, customers will have to go online, call the bank, or visit the Brunel Centre branch, or the local Post Office on Victoria Road.
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