Charity impact fears voiced by New Milton councillors amid Halifax bank branch closure in April 2024

ANOTHER bank branch closure could have a big impact on New Milton charities which rely on cash donations, a town meeting has heard.

As reported by the A&T, the Halifax on Station Road is set to shut its doors to customers in April next year, a month after its counterpart on Lymington High Street.

They are among a total of 45 branches across the Lloyds network – which also includes Bank of Scotland – confirmed to be closing.

Members of New Milton Town Council’s finance and general purposes committee responded to correspondence with Lloyds Banking Group.

A bank representative said visits to branches had fallen in recent years as customers chose to bank online.

From 28,000 customers in New Forest West, they said 133 people were using the branch monthly.

The representative advised that all Halifax customers can withdraw and deposit cash for free over the counter and pay in cheques at the post office next door.

But at the recent F&GP meeting Cllr Keith Craze pointed out post offices had limits on the amount of cash paid in.

“My concern is for local charities that still receive cash donations,” he said.

“It will be problematic and difficult for them.”

The Lloyds representative said a community banker would be on hand to support customers after the branch shuts.

Working one day a week from a public venue such as a community centre or library, they will help customers with banking enquiries.

Despite assurances to the contrary, there were also concerns the Lloyds branch at Station Road’s junction with Osborne Road might also close due to the state of the building.

Cllr Craze said: “The window frames on the building are being allowed to rot and not being maintained as if they’re not looking at the building in the long term.”

Cllr Steve Clarke said New Forest District Council leader Cllr Jill Cleary wrote to New Forest MPs regarding banking difficulties in rural areas.

Committee members speculated banks were “rushing” to close branches before new legislation comes in to stop it if it leaves no banking facility.