‘Bank customer service on life support’ in banking hit for Cornwall

CornwallLive readers are shocked to hear of further bank closures in Cornwall as Lloyds revealed plans to close two more branches in the county. This comes amid a wave of bank closures that has swept high streets across the country in recent years. Readers reacted in our comments section.

Lloyds Bank has confirmed that its Wadebridge and Liskeard branches will cease operations on 17 February 2025 and 25 February 2025 respectively. This means Cornwall will see the closure of around 30 banks in just over two years.

The bank attributed the decision to a drop in customer numbers at both branches. Following the closures, Wadebridge customers will have to travel to either the High Street in St Austell or Boscawen Street in Truro for the nearest branches. Meanwhile, those in Liskeard will be left with the options of Launceston or Royal Parade in Plymouth.

READ: Cornwall bank closures MAPPED – 30 closed or closing in just two years – interactive map

The Cockneyinvader comment says: “Looking at the figures they quote for 6 months, Liskeard had 827 customers. Break this down, 26 weeks, 5 days a week is 130 working days. That means the branch had between 6 and 7 customers a day. I must have always picked the wrong day and time because there were always at least 4 to 5 customers at a time when I was there! It doesn’t add up”

Tiz Me complains: “The way these banks are closing we’ll be expected to go to Plymouth or Exeter or even further afield to do our banking!!” Breton agrees: “I understand that online banking is the problem, but surely the big banks could come together and open a banking hub in every city. Split the cost and eg Monday, Nat West, Tuesday, Lloyds etc.”

Drastic says: “Banks are trying to get rid of cash and control everything with a percentage of sales on cards, I personally prefer to use cash.”

Triggerandhisdoggo agrees and suggests, “Use cash and the banks will stay open. Get £100 from the supermarket ATM and you’ll save money because it makes you more careful how you fill your trolley. You leave a huge digital footprint if you pay with a card, and it’s even worse if you pay with your phone.”

Mick6161 feels the same way: “I could lose my wallet full of cash but the only time I’ve been unable to pay for something (two cards) at a time was when Santander’s computers went down and the card didn’t I passed. . Putting all your eggs in one basket is never a good thing. Now I always have spare cash around and available just for situations like this. On that occasion I didn’t have enough on me so that was a lesson learned. There’s a lot to be said for banks maintaining a high street presence, not everyone has the same wants and needs, we’re all (thankfully) different and top people in every industry and politics need to start recognizing that again.”

Tideline says: “If people stop doing everything online, shops/banks will still be used. I like cash and will use cash. I do my banking at the post office and I enjoy it.”

Jan Trelawney writes: “It seems increasingly obvious that Customer Service is on life support in our county! Everything is charged in exchange for almost nothing being provided. Providing customer service was essential when I was a kid, but not anymore! Banks should understand that not everyone has the ability or resources to do things “on-line”. So much for progress! Greed prevails again – especially in the boardroom!”

Redruthmatty replies: “No. People have had 25 years notice about online banking. If you want to keep visiting the bank, travel. It’s time to step into the 21st century and do online banking. Looking at this foot traffic, it’s clear that many in Cornwall are already online.”

Tiz Me replies, “Not everyone is as ‘tech savvy’ as you!!! Please explain how you can pay cash into your computer and it shows up in your bank account as I can’t find the opening on my device to pay or withdraw cash!”

Will you be affected by bank closures? How will you manage in the future? Tell us what you think in our comments section.