Lloyds Bank to close Axminster branch

Axminster is set to lose its last remaining bank.

 Lloyds Bank has announced in letter to its customers that their Axminster branch in Trinity Square will close in November. All accounts will be switched to the Seaton branch.

 The news will shock the local business community with the town having lost HSBC, NatWest, Barclays and Santander in recent years.

 Alice Cable, area director of Lloyds Bank, said in a letter to customers: "We've been looking at the way customers use our branches as how people choose to do their banking has been changing for some time. Because of this, we've made the decision to close this branch."

 The Mayor of Axminster, Cllr Jill Farrow, said the closure of the branch was "very sad news".

 She told Nub News: "Whilst we know that all banks are moving away from having high street branches, we had hoped that Lloyds would stay with us. 

 "Not everyone is able or willing to use online banking. Having helpful people to talk to - and the staff in Lloyds have always gone out of their way to help - is important to many of us.   

"It's a sad loss for a town which is thriving in so many other areas."

 Within hours of the letter to account holders announcing the close, dozens of postings condemned the move on social media.

 Barbara Crispin commented: "You would think being the only bank left they (Lloyds) would have more custom to keep it open.

 "Such a shame. Lloyds customers will have to go to Seaton or Honiton and I guess they will then do their shopping there too. Axminster loses out again!"

 Linda Watts commented: "Yet again our elderly members of the community are having their lives made more difficult."

 Poppy Perry said: "This town is going to be absolutely dead by the end of the year."

Jay Hobday asked whether Axminster Town Council contested the closure.

"Do they even care that Axminster will be one big, barded up black hole?" he asked.

 Sandra Ward said the closure was foreseen by many and misquoted a famous Sun newspaper headline: "Would the last trader in Axminster please switch off the lights".