A leading independent retail association has thrown its weight behind a protest march on Lloyds Bank's London headquarters by Penzance businesses and campaigners fighting to save their local branch.
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) said it fully supported the action on Tuesday 9 December, which will see protesters deliver petitions signed by nearly 3,000 people opposing the closure.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "We wholeheartedly support the Penzance campaigners taking their fight to Lloyds' doorstep. This is exactly the kind of action needed to show banks they cannot simply abandon communities that have supported them for generations."
Mr Goodacre added: "The proposed replacement of a single community banker visiting once a fortnight is an insult to a town the size of Penzance. Over 33,000 customers will be left without a local branch, with the nearest alternative almost 40 miles away."
The association highlighted the case of Sue Calvert, director of Alfred Smith and Son in Penzance, a furniture retailer which has banked with Lloyds for over 100 years. Mrs Calvert said face-to-face banking was essential to maintain and keep customers safe.
Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George will join the protest at Lloyds' headquarters at 33 Old Broad Street at 11.30am on Tuesday, before formally delivering a petition in the Chamber of the Commons later this week.
Mr George has gathered cross-party support for a parliamentary motion criticising Lloyds' decision and calling on the government to protect face-to-face financial services.
The closure of the Penzance branch in January will leave Cornwall with just one Lloyds branch in Truro by the end of 2026 to serve the entire county.
Bira is calling for a review of the rules governing bank closures, more notice to businesses before closures take effect, and greater support to help firms adjust to the loss of local banking services.
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) said it fully supported the action on Tuesday 9 December, which will see protesters deliver petitions signed by nearly 3,000 people opposing the closure.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "We wholeheartedly support the Penzance campaigners taking their fight to Lloyds' doorstep. This is exactly the kind of action needed to show banks they cannot simply abandon communities that have supported them for generations."
Mr Goodacre added: "The proposed replacement of a single community banker visiting once a fortnight is an insult to a town the size of Penzance. Over 33,000 customers will be left without a local branch, with the nearest alternative almost 40 miles away."
The association highlighted the case of Sue Calvert, director of Alfred Smith and Son in Penzance, a furniture retailer which has banked with Lloyds for over 100 years. Mrs Calvert said face-to-face banking was essential to maintain and keep customers safe.
Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George will join the protest at Lloyds' headquarters at 33 Old Broad Street at 11.30am on Tuesday, before formally delivering a petition in the Chamber of the Commons later this week.
Mr George has gathered cross-party support for a parliamentary motion criticising Lloyds' decision and calling on the government to protect face-to-face financial services.
The closure of the Penzance branch in January will leave Cornwall with just one Lloyds branch in Truro by the end of 2026 to serve the entire county.
Bira is calling for a review of the rules governing bank closures, more notice to businesses before closures take effect, and greater support to help firms adjust to the loss of local banking services.
