For as long as I can remember there's been local banking branches in virtually every town, everywhere. Now when COVID came along, along with internet banking, and mobile banking, banks have had to/or chosen to close branches due to costs etc. Now the local Halifax bank branch is set to follow that trend and close in June 2026. This is the only financial premises for some people, either to gain access to their own money, to feel comfortable with a familiar trusted institution, or to assist them with other financial queries amongst other reasons. They might have had an issue with technology, for health reasons or have fallen victim to online fraud and in need of assistance. Bramley, Leeds is a location and with an older demographic and is a popular commuter hub and the shopping centre has a lot of footfall either using the shops or the bank, and not to mention other people who use the amenities passing through. For some they are unable to go far, and there is only one other ATM at Tesco's, but that's usually either out of order or targeted by scammers. The local post office isn't wheelchair accessible, and any local corner shops, or other facilities aren't equipped to deal with hundreds/if not couple of thousand people accessing their money and services every week. I've read that Lloyds Banking Group is wanting to close 95 branches across the UK, (so this issue doesn't just affect this local branch it goes countrywide) as part of cost cutting and there has been no consultation with any local community's (as far as I'm aware, but the residents of Bramley haven't been) about the impact this closure will have not only for this local town, but nationwide regardless of the local populations firm objections to such closure. There is no calls for a local 'banking hub', either with apparent sufficient local ATMs within a 1 mile radius and a post office that doesn't have wheelchair accessibility. The local community DEPEND on this branch as the Yorkshire Bank closed a few years ago in similar circumstances. There are NO banks in Armley anymore and a few have closed in Pudsey, so please if this affects you or someone you know, let's grow this petition to show the Banks we NEED, to keep this branch open...
