Lloyds confirms Arundel bank branch closure

The Lloyds branch will close in April 2016 because of a lack of use, the bank said.

The move follows Natwest pulling out of the town in recent months and will leave Arundel without a bank for several miles.

The Arundel Chamber of Commerce has launched a petition against the closure, saying it would be ‘detrimental to the whole community’.

A Lloyds spokesman said: “We have made the difficult decision to close our branch in Arundel in April 2016.

“This is because customers are using this branch less often and the lease on the building is due to expire.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and have informed customers of the closest alternative branch, which is in Littlehampton.”

The spokesman added that the number of personal customers using the Arundel branch was going down 9 per cent each year.

He said 70 per cent of them use other branches such as Littlehampton, or use online or telephone banking, calling it a ‘sound commercial decision’.

Staff were reportedly told the news last Thursday, November 26, with customers written to early this week.

A petition against the Lloyds closure has been launched, along with the following statement:

“We can’t let the closure of Lloyds Bank happen.

“Natwest Bank have already closed and it will be detrimental to the whole community of both personal individuals and businesses (shops, pubs and restaurants) on the High Street.

“Plus Arundel supports a huge tourist trade throughout the Spring and Summer months, most of whom use cash points.

“The remaining two cash points may not be able to support the demand for cash as one operates during shop trading hours.

“Please help Save the Bank from closure by signing this petition.”

The Lloyds spokesman also said that customers could still use the Post Office to check their balance, withdraw cash and make deposits.

Lloyds branches in Broadwater and Steyning will also go, the bank confirmed.

You can view the petition here

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