Town’s last bank says no to ‘mobile bank service’ High Street branch will close permanently later this month

MELKSHAM’S last bank has confirmed that it will not be offering a ‘mobile branch service’ to customers when the doors to its High Street branch closes for the last time later this month. 

Lloyds Bank announced last year that its Melksham branch, on the High Street, will close on Tuesday 15th February. Local MP Michelle Donelan had appealed to the High Street Bank to reconsider its decision or consider opening a mobile branch service to cover Melksham as a ‘bare minimum’.

However, Lloyds Bank has told the MP that a mobile service is ‘not currently feasible’.

“I personally think this is incredibly disappointing given I have made the case for it time and time again with them,” said Michelle Donelan MP, speaking to Melksham News. “I will nevertheless keep the pressure on and keep pushing them but I am also looking into alternatives, such as the current pilot scheme of Post Office bank hubs and whether this could be a feasible solution here in Melksham. 

“If it does look like a good fit for us, I will campaign relentlessly for Melksham to be part of the pilot and part of our access to cash commitment.”

The Melksham branch is one of 41 of branch closures announced last year because of a decline in visits by customers. According to the bank, 75% of its personal customers in Melksham already use other branches and other ways to bank such as online and telephone banking.

Its closure will leave the town without a bank. For Lloyds customers, the nearest alternative branch will be in Trowbridge, around 5 miles way.

Some banking services will be available from the Post Office, and two building societies, Coventry Building Society and Nationwide Building Society, remain in the town centre.

A Lloyds Bank spokesperson told Melksham News, “We made the decision to close our Melksham branch next month (February) due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which means the branch is being used less often.  

“When it closes next month, customers can continue to bank locally by visiting the nearby Post Office on Church Street, which is only a short walk from the branch.” 

The future use of the High Street building after the bank has vacated is unknown. It is currently listed as being available to lease by commercial property agents, Hooton’s. 

Share your memories of Lloyds Bank building

The historic and iconic High Street building that currently houses Lloyds Bank has been home to a bank for nearly 230 years. It was home to the Melksham Bank in 1792 – Lloyds moved into the building in 1918.

Do you have memories of working there or banking there that you would like to share? Or perhaps you have photos to share of the building, inside and out? Send us your memories by email: news@melkshamnews.co.uk