Lloyds closes branch in town
Lloyds TSB today announced shock plans to close its Holyhead Road branch in Wednesbury in less that two months. Customers have received letters informing them the bank will shut in December.
The closure announcement has sparked fears that customers could be eventually driven out of the town if it loses any more banks.
Last year the Wednesbury Building Society was moved to West Bromwich, while Natwest, Halifax and Heart of England have all departed the town in recent years.
Lloyds TSB has said the closure is part of its co-location programme and that existing customers would be able to do their banking at the former TSB branch in Walsall Street.
Former Mayor of Sandwell and Wednesbury Councillor Bill Archer said he feared the town could lose more banks in the future.
"We could end up with just one bank or even none at all in the town," he said. "Commercially it's bad for Wednesbury. They can dress it up whatever way they like but it will mean job losses and great difficulties for the customers."
Sarah Frost of Lloyds TSB confirmed the Holyhead Road branch would close on December 1. She said: "The branch at 111 Walsall Street remains open for business and will undergo a substantial refurbishment."
