Back in 2013 the BBC reported the UK had lost 40 per cent of its banks and building society branches since 1989, but these closures became even more prevalent with closures reaching their peak in 2017 when 868 sites were lost at a rate of more than 70 a month, according to Which.
According to Which, 2018 saw 794 branches close, while 2019 saw 443 closures. 2020 saw the smallest number of closures but already this year there have been a number of announcements of bank closures planned.
With this in mind we decided to take a look around Worthing to see where we have lost our banks and building societies. Please note, we have tried to include as many as we can remember but there may be others we have missed from the list.
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Just some of the sites that used to have a bank or building society in its place
. Chapel Road, Worthing town centre
A Woolwich (which moved to South Street and then became the Halifax) is now where Bodystreet Worthing is located. Photo: Google Maps
. Aldsworth Avenue
Burnand Brazier Malcolm Wilson Solicitors is where Natwest once was Photo: Google Maps
. Goring Road (Mulberry)
This HSBC is no longer open, instead replaced by Dilistone of Goring Funeral Directors Photo: Google Maps
. Goring Road
We think the Co-op Funeral Directors is where Woolwich once stood. Photo: Google Maps
. Ferring Village
Lloyds Bank once stood in one of these buildings in Ferring Photo: Google Maps
. Findon Valley
HSBC was where the Guild Care shop now is in along the A24 Findon Road. Photo: Google Maps
. Goring Road (Mulberry)
Barclays and Natwest were both located in these two buildings which now house South Downs Bikes and THL Chartered Accountants. Photo: Google Maps
. Littlehampton Road, Thomas a Becket lights
If our memory serves us correctly we believe Barclays Bank, along with several other shops, was where these flats are now located Photo: Google Maps
. Goring Road
This corner building which once housed Barclays now stands empty Photo: Google Maps
. Offington Lane
Lloyds bankwas where Offington Osteopath Clinic is now located Photo: Google Maps
. Chapel Road, Worthing town centre
Halifax moved to South Street and the site is now a Michael Jones Estate Agency
. Tarring Road
Natwest once stood where Monsur and Co Accountancy is now located
. Manor Parade, Salvington
Barclays bank has now been turned into a St Barnabas charity shop
1. Chapel Road, Worthing town centre
A Woolwich (which moved to South Street and then became the Halifax) is now where Bodystreet Worthing is located. Photo: Google Maps
2. Aldsworth Avenue
Burnand Brazier Malcolm Wilson Solicitors is where Natwest once was Photo: Google Maps
3. Goring Road (Mulberry)
This HSBC is no longer open, instead replaced by Dilistone of Goring Funeral Directors Photo: Google Maps
4. Goring Road
We think the Co-op Funeral Directors is where Woolwich once stood. Photo: Google Maps