NEXT month, Lloyds Bank will be launching a weekly Community Banking drop-in facility in Nailsea.

The facility, which will be located on No 65 High Street, will be available initially on Fridays from February 9 until June 14 from 9am until 3pm.

Community Bankers will offer Lloyds Bank consumers, who will no longer have a local branch in the town from February, with advice and support.

Speaking about the reasoning behind the closure, a spokesperson for the banking giant said: "The world is becoming more digital than ever before and more of our customers are doing their everyday banking online.

"With more customers banking digitally, we've seen a fall in branch visits.

"Because of this, we've decided to close this branch."

The Community Bankers will help with:

  • Paying someone new;
  • Managing Direct Debits and standing orders;
  • Transferring money between accounts;
  • Pay a bill to a company (limits apply);
  • Reporting your card lost or stolen;
  • Ordering a replacement card or PIN;
  • Viewing your balance and transactions:
  • Changing your address;
  • Managing your contact details;
  • Managing your marketing preferences;
  • Ordering a replacement cheque book / credit book;
  • Ordering copy statements;
  • Closing your account.

Please note that you will not be able to withdraw or pay in cash.

Further help and support will also be available through their telephone channels or your own device to:

  • Registering a death;
  • Registering a Power of Attorney;
  • Adding a third party to your account;
  • Registering your support needs;
  • Getting you help with your money worries;
  • Getting you help if you’ve been scammed;
  • Proving your identity;
  • Registering a complaint.

Trudy Hollow, manager of No 65, said: "We are very pleased that Lloyds Bank are working with No 65 to offer a Community Bank drop-in facility from February for our local residents and hope if this is successful that it will be continued after June 2024."

Nailsea Town Council has submitted an application for the town to be considered for a banking hub, which is a shared space where customers of multiple banks can deposit and withdraw cash, as well as carry out other banking tasks.

The new chair of Nailsea Town Council, Anita Smith, added: "We are pleased that Lloyds Bank are working with Nailsea Town Council to provide this Community Banker drop-in facility. 

"However, the town council are also looking at other longer-term solutions and have applied for the town to be considered for a banking hub."