Newbury Halifax bank one of 32 to close next year

Halifax has announced it is to close its Newbury town centre branch next year.

Based in Northbrook Street, the bank has been a staple of the town for many years.

However, the company behind it said footfall has fallen as more customers use online and mobile banking services.

Halifax, which is part of the Lloyds Banking Group, has published a branch review on its website, showing a decline of 63 per cent in terms of total transactions in the store compared with 2019.

It says that the number of cash machine transactions has also reduced, by 55 per cent in the same period.

Of the 279 customers that use the branch on a monthly basis, just two per cent are under 18, while 16 per cent are aged 18 to 34, the same percentage as the over 75s.

Those aged between 35 and 75 comprise two-thirds of the branch use.

Halifax says a quarter of its customers (27 per cent) have used other branches in the past year, while four in five (80 per cent) have used other branches, online or telephone banking.

And a fifth (19 per cent) have used Halifax services at a Post Office counter.

As a result, it is proposing to close the branch on April 16 next year. This will include the cash machine.

Customers wishing to use counter services will have to go to Reading town centre or the Wote Street branch in Basingstoke.

The Post Office in WHSmith’s Newbury branch will be able to carry out some banking services.

Alternatives for customers include using a mobile phone or a computer for making payments and transfers, managing payments, ordering travel money and checking credit scores.

The company will set up a community banker who will visit on selected days of the week, and these will be confirmed as the final day becomes clearer.

They will be able to help with payments and transfers, card and PIN services, managing accounts, and help with online, mobile or telephone banking.

Newbury is one of 32 branches the bank will close next year.

A Halifax spokesperson said: “As many customers now choose to bank through their mobile app or online, visits to our Newbury branch have fallen over recent years.

“The local Post Office offers everyday banking, with cash also available at close by free-to-use ATMs.

“Customers can also manage their money through our mobile banking apps, online, by calling us or speaking to a community banker.”