Councillors Ben Miskell and Nabeela Mowlana have launched a campaign to stop the closure of what then say is the last remaining bank in their community, as Lloyds Bank on City Road is set to close its doors for the last time in November. 

Launching an online petition to stop the closure, Councillor Ben Miskell, who is also Labour’s Spokesperson on Economic Development in the city said:

“We’ve been inundated by concerned residents who want Lloyds to reconsider their closure plans.”

“Closing bank branches in deprived communities is not a responsible action to be taking and leaves some of the most vulnerable residents, as well as local businesses, without proper access to banking services. Last year Lloyds Banking Group made £5.9 billion in profit. They aren’t hard pressed for cash, like many people in South Yorkshire facing the brunt of a cost-of-living crisis. We deserve better from this huge company”. 

In a letter to councillors, advising of the closure, Liz Delahaye from Lloyds Bank said:

“We’re constantly transforming our branch network as we reflect changing customer demand for branch transactions and services.  Sometimes this will mean we make the difficult decisions to permanently close a branch.”.

Councillor Nabeela Mowlana hit back at claims by Lloyds Bank that the closure reflected changing customer demands, saying:

“It’s only a few years back that the taxpayer bailed out Lloyds Banking Group from collapse. They are now repaying us by closing the last remaining bank in our community. Many residents where I live, particularly those that are elderly, will be hit the hardest.”  

Local residents Michelle Savage, from Arbourthorne who has banked at the branch for 43 years says:

“It has been my bank for 43 years. We will all have to travel so much further in future. There used to have lots of banks nearby, but this is the last one. Lots of elderly people will be lost without it, as not everyone can use the internet to do their banking. It feels like Lloyds are deserting us and just don’t care about the impact closing the branch will have in the local community”.

Coverage of this story on the BBC, Star and South Yorkshire Live