A BISHOP'S Waltham resident has spoken of his frustration on the impact that the closure of the town's last bank will have.

The Lloyds bank, in The Square, will close its doors on January 24, with customers and businesses having to find alternative branches.

Many businesses still use cash and pay their earnings into the bank in person.

Ian Leesmith, of Little Shore Lane, wrote a letter to Lloyds area manager Anthony Sutherland to point out the impact the closure will have.

In the letter, Mr Leesmith said: "Some years ago when the number of bank brank closures started to increase, I recall the banks made a commitment that towns would not be left without a bank; although I appreciate no town size was defined.

"Your letter quotes two other nearby branches, Hedge End and Eastleigh, both of which towns have other bank branches and building societies. It would therefore have seemed more helpful to your customers to close one of those and retain Bishop’s Waltham branch, since we have neither another bank nor a building society.

"It seems that some individuals who do not drive nor are on-line conversant will be particularly hard hit by this decision and I am certainly aware of such individuals in Bishop’s Waltham.

"I hope it is not too late for this decision to be revisited."

READ MORE: Last bank in Hampshire market town to close down next year

The above letter was written on July 27. On September 5, Mr Leesmith wrote a follow-up after not having an acknowledgement. 

Mr Leesmith, 81, has been banking with the Bishop's Waltham branch for around 30 years and is concerned for the impact the closure will have on the town's residents.

He is a trustee of Bishop's Waltham in Bloom. Mr Leesmith said: "We need the bank for the events we run, so we can have a cash float. The town needs a bank after the Barclays closed around four years ago and the post office in unreliable.

"A lot of people don't use online banking, including me. I'm very cautious about it. Some customers don't drive or have a computer." 

Previously, a Lloyds Bank spokesperson said: “Our customers have more choice than ever in how to bank with us, and fewer customers have been visiting our Bishop's Waltham branch over recent years. The branch will be closing at the end of January but a new ATM has been recommended for the town.

“We see 78 per cent of customers already using other branches in the local area, such as Hedge End branch in Southampton.

“The nearby Post Office on High Street, offers personal and business customers everyday banking services, access to cash, paying in of cheques, and more.

“There are 11 free to use ATMs within four miles of the closing branch.

“We’re contacting customers to let them know about the alternate local banking services available.”