People living in north Oxford are set to lose a majority of their in-person banking services by the autumn.
Summertown will lose branches of Lloyds Bank and the Post Office, both on Banbury Road, in the coming months.
At the moment people living in Summertown have access to Lloyds Bank and Post Office, as well as ATMs in the high street.
READ MORE: Residents in Summertown, Oxford say its a “disaster” they may lose post office
The Summertown site of Lloyds Bank is among 60 banks, including one in Abingdon, which parent company Lloyds Banking Group will close.
The decision was made after the number of customers using online banking reached an all-time high this year, the company said.
It is expected to shut on July 21.
The Post Office branch will close down alongside the Co-op, in which it is based, by the end of September.
This is due to it “not fitting with the long-term strategy” of Midcounties Co-operative, a spokesperson for the company said.
READ MORE: Oxford Co-op announces closure
Once both brands shut up shop people who want to access banking services through a post office will have to travel 30 minutes to Cuttleslowe or St Giles, while Lloyds customers living in the area will have to head into the city centre.
A spokesperson for Lloyds Bank told the Oxford Mail that when the bank closes customers can simply use the Post Office for “everyday banking services, access to cash, paying in of cheques, and more”, unaware that this service will – too – soon be unavailable.
News that the Post Office will shut has been described by people living in north Oxford as “terrible” and a “disaster”.
Linda Perks said: “Having to lose the Co-op in Summertown is a disaster.
“Not only the post office going but I know of several elderly people who rely on the Co-op to do their food deliveries which they phone in their orders and get it delivered by the friendly staff.
“It is bothering them very much as they don't use the internet.
“Please keep it as it is.”
Lucy Todd called it a “real shame and a big loss”.
READ MORE: Oxford restaurant The Nosebag to close down
Martin Hogg thinks the move is “terrible” and that people will find Cutteslowe “too far”.
Lib Dem county councillor Andrew Gant, who represents Summertown and Wolvercote, said local councillors are “working hard” to see if there is a way of maintaining a Post Office in Summertown.
“We have had many residents contacting us expressing concern at its potential loss,” he said.
He added: “It's quite early to say how discussions might go, but we are fully behind local residents in campaigning hard to keep a Post Office in Summertown.”
This article has been corrected as it previously referenced HSBC on Banbury Road as being open, however it closed in 2021. We are very happy to make this clear.
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