Halifax in Locks Heath Shopping Village near Warsash in Hampshire is closing on 14th May 2020. A lot of elderly customers in the Locks Heath/ Park Gate and Warsash areas use this bank regularly as they cannot travel far and it is very convenient for them when they do their shopping. It is the only Halifax in this area and for it to close would be such a shame especially for the customers who use it the most. The next nearest Halifax branch is Fareham, which is too far for the majority of customers to travel, the buses are not that frequent and also some of the more elderly customers do not have online banking as they do not own a smart phone or computer. 

Halifax Plc, please could you reconsider closing this branch. I’ve been talking to customers who use the branch regularly (before COVID-19 lockdown) and they are very unhappy that the branch is closing. Some have informed me that they won’t be able to get to the Fareham branch and that they will have to change banks or arrange other help which is difficult for some without family. 

Even for someone like me who is young, it is very inconvenient to travel all the way to Fareham, I don’t like to bank online if I can help it, I prefer to go to a bank as it’s easier for some things I do regarding money transfers, withdrawing money or cashing in a cheque. Yes, I know I can do this with online banking but again, when the website is updating or the WiFi goes off because of road works, then travelling 2 miles up the road is more convenient than getting a bus in the pouring rain and travelling all that way to maybe find that the Fareham branch is shut (like on a Saturday for example). 

I can think of so many other examples of why the bank should stay open etc and I do hope Halifax Plc, will take this into consideration before the 14th May 2020. 

Thank you for reading my letter. 

Very Truly Yours 

Miss Rebecca Green and all the customers that use Halifax in Locks Heath Shopping Village.