Who will be last customer through doors of soon-to-close Cleethorpes bank ?

                                                     

Sad day - after 2.30pm tomorrow Lloyds Bank will be closed for good (or should that be bad?)

A CHAPTER in the economic life of Cleethorpes will tomorrow turn its last page.

The town's only surviving bank - at the junction of St Peter's Avenue and Elm Road -  is due to close at 2.30pm tomorrow, Thursday December 5.

Lloyds Bank has decided to follow the same path already trodden by HSBC, Barclays and the NatWest which have already shut up shop in Cleethorpes.

When the closure decision was announced in March, Lloyds said:  "Before we close any branch, we look at how our customers are managing their money and using the branch.

"Most customers are now using our mobile app, internet banking or calling us instead.

"That means they are using branches, including the one at Cleethorpes, much less. 

"We are here to help and support you."

Lloyds further revealed that it had 797 customers who regularly used the Cleethorpes branch.

Of these, 94 per cent have been personal customers with six per cent  business users. 

By age breakdown, two per cent are aged under 18; 15 per cent are aged 18 to 34; 24 per cent are aged 35 to 54; 38 per cent are aged 55 to 74; and 21 per cent are aged over 75. 

The property has already been put on the market.

According to the agents, Scotts, the premises  are available for sale, at an asking price of £425,000, or to let with a guide rent of £37,500 per annum.

Above the banking floor, there is 'ancillary' space, though it is not clear to what use, if any, this is made.

The property also benefits from a six-vehicle car park accessed via Elm Road.

If no potential buyer or leasee come in for the building, chances are that it will be put up for auction.

The cash machines will also be withdrawn.

On the plus side, the Lloyds branch in Victoria Street, Grimsby, has been retained. 

Meanwhile, the  only  surviving financial institutions in Cleethorpes are two building societies - the Nationwide and the Nottingham - both on St Peter's Avenue.