Labour has called on the Chief Executive of Lloyds Bank to reconsider it decision to close the Kinson branch of its bank.
In a letter from Jessica Toale, Labour's Parliamentary Candidate in Bournemouth West, Cllr Michelle Dower and Community Champion Paul Williams, they said: “This branch provides vital services to residents in Kinson, and we urge you to rethink its closure."
They drew attention to the fact that 38% of customers use no other Lloyds Bank Branch and the nearest alternatives are almost 3 miles and half an hour bus ride away. They have also raised concern about the impacts on older, disabled and financially excluded people.
Read the full letter here:
Dear Mr Nunn,
We are writing to you regarding the recent announcement that Lloyds will be closing its Kinson Bournemouth branch in September this year.
This branch provides vital services to residents in Kinson and we urge you to rethink its closure. As you've noted in your own evaluation 38% of your customers use no other Lloyds Bank Branch and 16% use no other form of banking. We are concerned that this closure with have a disproportionate impact on older, disabled and financially excluded people. The two nearest alternative Lloyds branches are almost 3 miles away and around half an hour by public transport. This is an additional cost when residents are already feeling the impact of the cost of living.
We are also concerned about the impact on Lloyds Bank staff who work hard to serve our local community and urge you to ensure their jobs are safeguarded.
In the middle of a cost of living crisis, people need access to financial services and their local bank is more important than ever. It is in this context we urge you to keep this branch open.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Michelle Dower BCP Councillor for Kinson
Paul Williams Kinson Community Champion
Jessica Toale Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Bournemouth West