Letter: I’m not happy about the latest loss for New Milton’s high street

I moved to the south coast five years ago. I came across New Milton with a vibrant high street including a butcher, haberdashery, antique shops and four banks. I thought ‘how nice; this will be good for me’.

So here I am, in New Milton, not so happy anymore.

We lost the butcher, then the banks, first the HSBC then Halifax, next Lloyds and now Santander. What are we supposed to do? The bank staff were telling us to use the machines and go online, or use the post office, but this can’t do everything we need, like end-of-year interest statements for tax purposes. Paying in/collecting cash or foreign currency for holidays.

When I do go online, I often get a message (another window is trying to open, block or allow), so I cancel that session. I am advised to change passwords; this is not easy and is annoying.

The nearest banks are Lymington or Christchurch (at the moment) they are both 20 minutes away, by car. For most older people that is a lot longer by bus.

The high street is no longer vibrant and welcoming, no longer provides the ease and comforts for pleasant living, it has lost its soul.

John Rees

New Milton