Peter Ainsworth MP has today urged Lloyds bank to reconsider the decision to close their Lingfield branc
In a letter to Jay Burgoyne, Local Director for the Gatwick Area at Lloyds bank, Peter Ainsworth expressed concern about the closure and the adverse impact it would have on less mobile members of the Lingfield community. He has also pointed out that local shops and businesses would not be able to access the local services they have enjoyed for many years.
This move represents a double blow for Lingfield, which this week saw the sudden closure of the popular Trading Post store.
“Many of the residents of Lingfield rely on being able to access these local services. I was a customer of the Lingfield Trading Post and so I was particularly sad to find it had closed. I very much hope that the space can be taken up by another local business”
He went on to say:
“These are commercial enterprises but, especially in the case of Lloyds, they provide essential services for the community. I have asked Lloyds to reconsider their decision. We must do everything we can to retain services and a range of businesses in our local towns.”
Notes to Editors:
1) The full text of Peter Ainsworth's letter is as follows:
Jay Burgoyne
Gatwick Local Director
Lloyds TSB Group
2nd Floor
1 – 5 The Broadway
Crawley
West Sussex RH10 1DU
8th January 2007
Thank you for your letter of the 3rd January 2007 regarding the proposed closure of the Lloyds TSB branch in Lingfield. I was very concerned to hear this and, needless to say, your decision has caused a degree of consternation in Lingfield.
I appreciate that you must act according to commercial interests, but I was sorry – and rather surprised – to learn that this branch has suffered a decline in customer usage at a time when the population of Lingfield, and demand for local services generally, is rising.
I note that you suggest that customers use your facilities in East Grinstead or Edenbridge. I suspect that they be more inclined to move their accounts to the Lingfield branch of Barclays. Were I to be as Lingfield based customer, of Lloyds, that is what I would do.
Needless to say, the branch closure will impact adversely not only on private customers of Lloyds – particularly the elderly and less mobile – but also on those local shops and services which have kept their accounts with you, many being customers on long standing.
I understand that there has been a Lloyds branch in Lingfield for over eighty years and it seems a great pity that you have chosen to end the relationship between your bank and the local community.
I understand that some of the commercial properties which neighbour your branch have recently been in receipt of absurd demands for higher rent; although this was not mentioned as a reason for the proposed closure in your letter, I would be grateful if you might let me know whether you have received a similar demand and, if so, whether it was a factor behind your decision.
The terms of your letter suggest that you are not prepared to reconsider your plans; however, I trust that you will think again, very carefully, before proceeding with an action which can only have an adverse impact on both Lingfield and on your bank’s reputation as a socially responsible organisation.
I am making a copy of this letter available to the public and the local media.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Ainsworth MP |
