Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon & East Thurrock, yesterday met with representatives of Lloyds Bank to press constituents’ concerns over the upcoming closure of its Corringham branch on 21 August 2023.
Over the last few weeks, constituents have been writing about their concern over the closure of the Lloyds Bank branch in Corringham. There are roughly 200 customers who regularly use the branch. On 18 April, Stephen arranged to meet with Lloyds’ Public Affairs Manager for the East and South East, as well as the manager of the local branch.
Lloyds informed Stephen that the Corringham branch had seen a 64% drop in personal transactions and a 69% drop in business transactions through the past 5 years. Furthermore, only 1% of its local customers use the branch, with most using online banking. Lloyds said that it would speak to, or contact, every customer using the branch and help its most vulnerable customers with alternative arrangements.
Stephen highlighted to Lloyds that the Post Office in Corringham was temporarily closed after the retirement of the previous Postmaster and so the closure of the branch would be another blow to the town. He pressed the bank to keep the branch open until Post Office provisions are re-provided. Lloyds confirmed that it recognised the challenges and said that if there are serious problems for customers, the branch will remain temporarily open until solutions are found.
Finally, Lloyds has said that there will be no job losses as a result of the closure of the branch and its employees will be offered roles at other branches or in other parts of the business. Lloyds Bank branches continue to operate in Basildon Town Square and Grays High Street.
Stephen Metcalfe said: “Lloyds Bank has assured me that it is doing everything it can to ensure its customers are well supported before its Corringham branch closes.
I am pleased that the bank recognises the problems with local financial services and has agreed in principle to consider keeping the branch open temporarily until a new Postmaster is found and Post Office services are restored.”
