Polegate's last bank set to close

Councillors say the closure of Lloyds Bank, in the High Street, next April will badly hit a number of elderly and infirm residents who are unable to travel to other towns.

The decision, which follows the closure of the Polegate branch of Barclays in September last year, means there will no longer be a bank in the town.

A spokesman for Polegate Town Council said, “The council is disappointed for Lloyds Bank taking this decision as it does not provide a level of service that many residents have enjoyed in the last few years, particularly as some residents have transferred from Barclays to Lloyds.”

The closure will mean residents will either have travel to branches in Hailsham or Eastbourne or rely on banking services at Polegate Post Office where residents can check their balance, withdraw cash and make deposits to their account.

Lloyds says the decision not to renew the lease of its branch in Polegate comes after a 14 per cent drop in bank users.

A spokesman for Lloyds Bank said, “We have made the difficult decision to close our branch in Polegate 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 that the closest alternative branches are in Hailsham and Terminus Road, Eastbourne.”

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