LOCAL representatives have reacted with shock and anger at Lloyds Bank’s plan to close its branch in Williton - the last bank in the village.

It is one of 20 Lloyds and eight Halifax branches that will be axed by Lloyds Banking Group between August and November this year, the company announced on Wednesday. Williton’s branch will close its doors for the last time on 24 November.

The company blamed the decision on the growth of online banking, and a decline in branch usage.

Hugh Davies, county and district councillor for Watchet and Stogursey, said he is shocked by the decision. He said: “I’m horrified, quite frankly. The nearest Lloyds is now in Taunton, which is 15 miles away, and with transport as it is, and so many pensioners here, that’s just not workable. I’m fraught with anger, to be honest.”

Local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said it was “very sad” to see the village lose its last bank. “The closure of any such institution is always very keenly felt,” he said. “There is no doubt that all the banks have been responsible for decreasing the footfall in their branches by vigorously encouraging customers to switch to online banking. That is fine for most people but not so fine for the elderly or others who do not have access to a computer.”

MP Mr Liddell-Grainger added: “I am aware that Lloyds has made the usual case for closure and insists the decision has only been taken after careful consideration but that in no way minimises the loss that will be felt in the community.

“At least Williton branch customers will still be able to carry out basic transactions at the post office - but for anything more than that if will entail a bus journey to Minehead or Taunton: not an ideal situation and a disadvantage which I doubt Lloyds has even considered when deciding the future of this highly-valued branch.”

Cllr Davies, who ran a newsagents next door to the bank for 36 years, agreed that footfall has fallen in Williton, but pointed out that Covid has played a large part in that, and lamented the changes in business and customer culture.

He said: “I think this will now be a done deal. They’ve invested so much in internet banking so you’re now forced to go online.

“Of course, we’ve still got our wonderful post office, run by a fabulous couple, which will offer some banking services.

“But basically, Mr Robot has taken over.”

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Lloyds Banking Group said: “It remains true that online and mobile banking continues to grow, as branch usage falls.

“On average, visits to these 28 branches have dropped by 60 per cent since 2016, while we now have 18.6 million regular online banking customers and over 15 million mobile app users.

“It is therefore important that we continue to look at where our branches are best placed.

“Each of these locations has a free to use ATM, and a post office, within one mile.

“As with all proposed closures, these plans have been through LINK’s independent cash-access assessment, with no enhancements required.

“We aim to support all colleagues impacted, who want to remain with the group, a move to a new role.”

The Unite union has also condemned the move. National officer Caren Evans said: “The branch closure announcement that another profit-making financial institution is failing to consider the needs of consumers and staff beggars’ belief.

“This news is another example of a bank choosing to walk away from the communities who need access to banking.”