'Further and further away from dealing with human beings': Residents' dismay at latest planned bank closures in Shropshire

Several fear that services will not be as accessible in the future, and worry about how they can access cash.

Lloyds has reported that its Market Drayton branch will close on November 27, while Halifax branches in Wellington and Oswestry will close in January and April retrospectively next year.

Lloyds says visits to branches "have fallen over recent years" and that "more than 68 per cent of our personal customers from each branch already use other ways of banking, such as mobile, internet or phone banking, as well as other branches".

The company is contacting its Shropshire customers to notify them of the closures and provide information about alternative banking services that are available.

In the run-up to the branch closures, Lloyds says staff will be on-hand to 'offer support and guidance on the ways customers can bank' with them.

After the branches close a Lloyds community banker will visit Market Drayton and a Halifax community banker will visit Oswestry where they will continue to offer face-to-face support 'for as long as the community needs it'.

However, where they will be available to visit is currently unknown as Lloyds says it will "discuss with local communities which locations would be appropriate for our community bankers to set up in, and on which days".

Market Drayton resident Guy Chatburn raised his concerns to the Shropshire Star before using services at the Lloyds branch on Cheshire Street.

The 65-year-old said "they are essential" to high street life.

He said: "I'm very disappointed, it's very important to keep a place like this open in a town like Market Drayton.

"People use it all the time, cash hasn't gone yet. I've come to get some and it hasn't gone out of fashion.

"They promise a banking hub, but where is that going to be? And if there's going to be a banking hub that means there is a demand, so why not keep the branch open in the first place?

"I use digital banking and go online and use an app, but there's times when you need to prove to the bank that you want to pay in money. You can't just do that virtually, you have to physically turn up."

Peter Talbot, 80, also faces challenges when the bank closes, and claims he will have to buy a new phone to pay in cheques.

Asked about his reaction to the news of the closure, Mr Talbot said: "Sadness, because I don't like the way the world is going.

"This morning I've paid a cheque in, you can’t do that online unless you have the app. I don't use my phone a lot and it's too old. I'm going to have to get a new phone.

"It's the knock-on effect isn't it? It's just a move further and further away from dealing with human beings. It's like self-service checkouts, I like dealing with people."

Lloyds has reminded residents that services like paying in cheques and access to cash are available at the Post Office.

But, it's the human interaction that county residents will miss, including 66-year-old Helene Herring.

She said: "I think it's a shame for everybody, especially older people who can’t go to bigger towns.

"I already use it [digital banking] but if I have got cheques to pay I still come to the bank.

"I like interacting with people, although I use it less now with online banking, but it's nice, especially for older people, to be able to see someone."

A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson said: "As many customers now choose to bank through their mobile app or online, visits to our Lloyds Bank Market Drayton, Halifax Oswestry and Wellington branches have fallen over recent years.

"The local Post Office in each town offers everyday banking, with cash also available at close by free-to-use ATMs. Customers can manage their money through our mobile banking apps, online, by calling us or speaking with a community banker."