SHARE ON FACEBOOK

Concern for most vulnerable following Lloyds Blandford closure announcement

QUESTIONS have been raised of what the future could hold for elderly people in the Blandford area following the announcement the town’s branch is set to close later this year.

Lloyds Banking Group announced plans earlier this week to shut 136 more high street branches across the UK, blaming the decision on customers shifting to using mobile services rather than in-person banking.

Sadly for Blandford residents, this means the Lloyds branch in the Market Place is set to close on November 10.

When your New Blackmore Vale broke the news on Wednesday (January 29), we were inundated with comments from people fearing what this could mean for the more elderly that don’t use internet banking or those that don’t have internet access.

READ MORE: Blandford and Dorchester Lloyds bank branches set to close this year

READ MORE: Idea for “shops within a shop” at old Natwest building in Blandford

When the Blandford branch closes, it will leave just the Nationwide Building Society in the town. This comes after HSBC closed in April 2023 and NatWest in August 2023.

The Tesco at Stour Park will also be the only place residents will be able to access cash 24/7 – a long walk for those without access to a car.

The nearest Lloyds bank to Blandford is found in Dorchester’s South Street – however that branch is also set to close with a date set for June 19.

“Life will be even more challenging”

Banks such as Lloyds offer more than just a place to take out cash.

For many elderly customers, banks provide a trusted safe space to chat and build a rapport with staff who can offer vital advice about customers’ banking as well as update them on the latest scams to be wary of.

One reader said life will be more challenging for their parents following the closure.

“Both my parents are registered blind and have no public transport in their area,” they said.

“There is a community minibus to Dorchester once a week, which they use. Lloyds staff have a good rapport with them and understand their needs.

“They are unable to use internet/telephone banking! Life will now be even more challenging for them with the closure of the bank.”

Another reader, Julie, said: “No internet – no mobile or computer – no sight and limited sight – what on earth is my mother now meant to do for banking?

“[She has] already moved from another bank in town – now another closure, total disgrace and discrimination for profit for shareholders.”

The Lloyds closure announcement came just a day after Emma Reynolds, the new economic secretary to the Treasury, said the government was concentrating on ensuring everyone had access to cash, such as through new banking hubs, and on improving people’s digital skills.

Lloyds said an increasing amount of customers are transitioning to the app and online services rather than in-person services in branches

Lloyds said an increasing amount of customers are transitioning to the app and online services rather than in-person services in branches

Barry Watson from Pimperne has questioned what has been planned to mitigate the closure.

“Sadly, one watched the demise of our NatWest in Blandford,” he said. “Now add one more bank closure in Blandford to the list!

“What’s next? Is any commercial element in control within Blandford?

“We know one answer; we live in a progressive digital age – a technological change. But then, one asks, why the surprise?

“What is planned/underway to mitigate this depressing evolution [of the] High Street event by an entrepreneurial response from business managers resident in Blandford Town Council or Dorset Council to supplement/enhance or maintain the local economy?

“If not these guys, who else [is] representative and responsible for a proactive response?”

“We cannot have banking deserts”

MP Simon Hoare (Conservative, Dorset North) said he has requested an urgent meeting with Lloyds to establish what their proposals are for community banking support in the town.

He said: “While many of my constituents are able/happy to bank online or by app many also are not.

“We cannot have banking deserts nor people left high and dry regarding their banking needs.”

Councillor Byron Quayle (Conservatives, Blandford) said the move was “long expected” and that he will look into applying for a banking hub for the town.

What can customers expect come November?

Lloyds said Blandford would receive a community banker following the closure who would provide services including making payments, account enquiries and online banking support.

The town has not so far been recommended for a banking hub, but applications can be made by anyone on the LINK website,  www.link.co.uk/helping-you-access-cash/request-access-to-cash

Banking hubs are shared banking spaces available to all banking customers.

A counter service operated by Post Office employees will allow customers of any bank to withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions in person.

There will also be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy.

The banks work on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments.

7 Comments

  1. Anonymous Reply

    I think the closure of Lloyds is appalling.
    I often need to go into a bank and now will have to drive miles to access these services.

  2. Christina Mansfield Reply

    A petition needs to be started requesting Lloyds reconsider closing the last Bank in Blandford . Also the Government needs to put pressure on all banks closing their remaining branches. This is public money and surely the general public has a say in how they choose to access their money and protect the vulnerable and elderly ?

  3. Christina marks Reply

    I think it’s not a disgrace that this is going to happen, my parents also have the same issue they’re not up with the times to use technology, also with our business depositing cash where are we to do this now!? when that you want a quick query you can’t phone up and talk to somebody and that query doesn’t get answered in sensible terms when you email it which also they’re unable to do, the staff down at Blandford was so helpful if ever that they needed anything or had issues this is now lost.
    Also, you’ve only gotta take today, one of the major banks I didn’t read which article it was as you had to be a subscriber and pay Had gone down, so nobody was able to access their cash or anything within the system, the more and more that we move to digital systems and then slowly lose cash where are we all to be when the computers go down!!? because they seem to do that a lot!

  4. Kathleen Reply

    I understand simple payments/withdrawals can be made at the Post Office-if that does not close too. I intend to shift my main account if I don’t have access o a branch. Banks have done everything they can to get people online or on the telephone, which will save them a lot of money. But when there is a problem on line-and a long queue by phone to get through-where do you turn? The branch staff were always helpful.

  5. Anon Reply

    Whilst not unexpected this is a tragedy for the town, another example of profit over customer service. As a Lloyds shareholder I would rather keep the bank open and sacrifice the extra 0.001p or whatever negligible amount I will receive in benefit from closure. I am sick of being told what the public want, I am a member of the public and definitely don’t want! neither did I want or use self service checkouts. Maybe I’ve outlived my time in society. For me the answer is simple, to keep my money under the bed. Easy access, no fees or charges and no need to download yet another app reliant on unreliable Internet. I remember my grandparents doing the same, everything goes full circle. Unfortunately I don’t think I will be here to see the return of shops and banks to the high street but I live in hope.

  6. Mrs Valerie Dennis Reply

    All we hear as pensioners is learn to bank on line. Most of us do not feel comfortable about this arrangement.
    I thought Lloyds would think they were very much needed in Blandford after all the other three banks shut up shop in our town. Yes a Banking Hub would be much appreciated. It’s a good job we still have the Post Office, where the staff are very helpful.

  7. Mr Paul young Reply

    I think that if Blandford does get a community banking hub then existing Lloyds customers should be informed by email or letter to let them know when open where it will be.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *