Erewash MP responds to second Long Eaton bank closure announcement within a week

Erewash MP Adam Thompson has given his reaction after a second banking company within a week issued an announcement of a branch closure plan including another in Long Eaton.

Within the last week, NatWest detailed plans to close its Market Place branch in May 2025, and then within a few days, Lloyds Banking Group, which has Lloyds, Halifax and RBS within its portfolio of brands declared a proposal to shut its Halifax branch across the road in the Autumn.

In a statement, Mr. Thompson expressed his disappointment at having to talk about the matter again so soon and added: "Halifax say that the branch has had a 60% fall in usage since 2019 – just like NatWest saying 80% of their customers use online banking, this still leaves a large number of their customers in the lurch. Halifax and Lloyds are part of the same group, and services for Halifax can be accessed at Lloyds, which is good so long as Lloyds is secure in its future."

The Erewash MP said that he would be seeking a meeting with Halifax, in the same way that he had with NatWest officials, in order to seek clarity with them on the way forward, to speak up for local residents – especially the elderly – and to make sure they are treating their staff with the respect he said that they deserve.

He also said that the need for alternative banking options was becoming ever more important: "This makes local calls for a Long Eaton banking hub even stronger. I was pleased to see Sawley Parish Council express their support for one last night – I’ll now begin working with them, the borough council, the banks, and all relevant stakeholders to try and make progress on this issue."

On the impact that bank branch closures have on the high street, his statement concluded: "We need to revive our town centres. Long Eaton and Ilkeston both. I know there’s already good stuff underway, and I’m confident in their futures – but they’re going to need years of serious, committed work. I’ll be taking that fight on."