I am disappointed to learn of Halifax's decision to close their bank branch in Exmouth on 7th August 2024.
I have written to Halifax on behalf of local residents to express my concerns about the planned closure.
Halifax has pointed to Exeter as its nearest available branch. That’s a good 30 minute journey away and is fairly unrealistic for many customers to do regularly. Halifax have committed to providing a Community Banker in Exmouth after the branch closes, with set hours in a space in the local area. But this is a poor substitute for a bank branch.
Exmouth is the largest town in Devon, and one in five people in Exmouth are aged over 65 - an age group that data shows tend to use a bank branch more often.
As Exmouth residents will know, Halifax's closure will leave three bank branches in the town: Santander and Nationwide on Rolle Street, and TSB on the Strand.
Recently, I co-signed a letter from MPs to the Financial Conduct Authority to unlock more banking hubs. Sidmouth's banking hub is set to open soon when the last bank in town closes. I will continue to push for more banking hubs in other towns in East Devon where banks have been closing or have disappeared, including Exmouth.
If you are a Halifax customer and you have concerns about the planned closure of their Exmouth branch, please let me know at simon.jupp.mp@parliament.uk. I understand staff who work in the branch will be offered the chance to move to a role at another branch or another part of our business. If you are a staff member with any concerns you can also contact me in confidence.