Chamber Statement re Lloyds Closure (see States Announcement below)
“The Alderney Chamber of Commerce has been shocked to learn today that the decision has been made to close the Alderney branch of Lloyds Bank. Our understanding is that this will take effect from 1st January next.
This is a serious adverse blow to the economy of our island at a time when we are trying our utmost to stabilise and grow from the global effects of Covid.
Several concerning points come to the fore – unemployment, a reduction to just one cash point on the island, and now to find alternative means of banking cash for those businesses who deal in cash. The economic and social impact will be felt on island by all especially our older residents. Chamber’s continual focus to maintain St. Anne as a vibrant town will be somewhat eroded.
The closure will have an undoubted detrimental effect on our retail, tourist and hospitality sectors along with residents who do not use internet banking.
We now have six months working alongside the States of Alderney to help minimise disruption. The closure could well put a heavier responsibility on the island’s remaining bank HSBC.
Lloyds has been one of the flagships of Victoria Street for many decades. It is quite unthinkable to now realise that its doors may shut for the last time at the end of the year.”
Andrew Eggleston
President
Statement issued by the States of Alderney
Date: 16th June 2022 – Time: 15:30
States of Alderney ‘deeply saddened’ by the loss of Lloyds Bank branch from January 2023
The news announced today that Lloyds Bank is to close its Alderney branch at the end of this year will remove an essential part of the Island’s fabric and comes at a time when the community is seeking to grow its economy following the pandemic.
Ian Carter, Acting Chairman of the Policy & Finance Committee, said: “This decision potentially has a devastating outcome for the island on many fronts such as employment, economic activity, immigration and social cohesiveness, particularly among our older residents.
“We are deeply saddened by the news and are seeking the earliest possible face-to-face engagement with the Lloyds team. Our immediate hope is that the Bank will reconsider as Lloyds is a vital part of the fabric of the Island both physically on Victoria Street and through the highly valued staff who discharge their financial responsibilities with skill and diligence, often alongside informal support for their customers.
“We have to acknowledge that this is a commercial decision and we will work with Lloyds and the Chamber of Commerce over the next six months to minimise the disruption this could cause. We are relieved that there will be at least a six-month transition period in which we trust that Lloyds will demonstrate a degree of social responsibility to us as a community.”
The Alderney branch closure was announced alongside the closure of St Martin’s in Guernsey and Five Oaks in Jersey with an overall loss of 34 Channel Islands jobs. Both Guernsey and Jersey will continue to have two branches after the closures take effect. Lloyds Bank International will seek to redeploy staff wherever possible.
Ends