LYMM'S last bank is still set to close next week – despite the site being listed as an asset of community value.

Planning officers have approved the parish council's bid to register Lloyds Bank at The Cross as an asset of community value.

The bank 'referred' the matter to its property agents following the decision but it has now confirmed the branch is still planned to close.

A spokesman said: "We have previously announced our decision to close Lloyds Bank's Lymm branch, due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in customers using it less often.

"We can confirm that the branch remains scheduled to close on July 4."

Lloyds said it is taking the matter 'seriously' and that it will be meeting with parish councillor Graham Gowland to discuss the issue further.

The bank has listed a number of points indicating why it has decided to close the branch:

•             The majority of customers now regularly use alternative branches or use other ways to bank such as online and telephone banking to complete their banking needs. 

•             63 per cent of our personal customers already use other branches, such as the Horsemarket Street Warrington branch.

•             The branch has only 18 regular weekly personal and business customers.

•             In addition, an opportunity to review our property lease has arisen, which has contributed to the decision of the timing of the closure of this branch.

•             The Post Office is half a mile away and we will be proactively talking to customers about the service they offer.

•             The nearest free to use ATM is a brief walk away.

•             Customers will have their accounts realigned to Horsemarket Street Warrington and there will be no other impact to the way they manage their accounts. They can use any branch for their banking needs, as well as utilising the other banking options available to them.