A mobile banking service that visits towns fortnightly to fill the void created by branch closures, is to be axed - sparking fears of increased social isolation for those who rely on it.
Along with many other routes up for the chop, Lloyds Bank has announced they will be ending the mobile banking service which visits Calne, Tetbury, Cricklade, Fairford, Malmesbury and Dursley in May.
The last date the van will visit Calne is the 13th May 2024.
Statistics released by the service show that 46% of customers using it are 75 and over, with 76% using the service for personal banking. With 1824 transactions by personal customers between Aug 22 and Jul 23, and 690 transactions by businesses. Sixty-seven customers regularly used the service over the same time period.
Lloyds Bank say: "We've been looking at how customers are using our Mobile Branches. Many are using them less and choosing other ways to bank instead. Because of this, we've made the decision to end this service."
In December it was announced that following a community request from Town Councillor Michael Hudston, a new banking hub would be opening in Calne as part of 'a wider commitment to protect access to cash'. However, the hub could take up to a year to open.
Cllr Hudston said: "Whilst I have successfully applied for Calne to have a banking hub, this could be 12 months away, so yet again, towns like ours are being betrayed by the big banks!"
The subject has been discussed on social media with one contributor commenting: "Sometimes, going to the bank is someone's only human contact for the day. People of all ages are experiencing social isolation and the loss of the high street is making the problem worse."
The statement from Lloyds Bank read: "Before we make any changes to our services, we always look to understand the impact on our customers and the local community.
"This includes how customers can continue to access banking services. For some locations, a Community Banker will visit once the Mobile Branch service ends."
It is not yet clear which areas will benefit from the community banker.
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