I think the letter from Lloyds TSB will be of general interest. Following an e-mail to Lloyds TSB re the closure of Brookmans Park Branch, I got the following reply:

Dear Mr Barber

Thank you for taking the trouble to e-mail us, expressing your concerns about the planned closure of our branch in Brookmans Park.

I should like to stress how sorry we are for the inconvenience that will be caused to some of our customers by this closure. Such decisions are only taken after very careful and prolonged consideration. As with any business, however, we do need to tailor our operation prudently, with a view to our long-term future. We are in an increasingly competitive marketplace, with numerous newcomers who do not have our historic branch network to support.

Whilst they are able to cherry pick certain more profitable sections of the community, rest assured that we have every intention of continuing to provide a quality service to each of our customers. As you will appreciate, however, this can only be at a price our customers are prepared to pay.

An agreement reached recently with Post Office Counters Limited ensures that our personal customers are able to use all post offices in England and Wales for straightforward banking transactions. It currently takes a little longer for payments to reach your account, but we hope that this delay will be outweighed by the convenience of being able to use a local post office. We believe that this arrangement must also improve the prospects for the long-term viability of sub-post offices generally.

Shopping habits are also changing and this affects banks just as much as other retailers. Our customers are increasingly seeking new forms of banking and we are actively developing our Cashpoint, telephone and internet banking facilities to meet this demand. In addition, of course, many supermarkets provide a 'Cashback' service - something they are happy to do in order to reduce their own overheads, since the maintenance of cash is an increasingly heavy burden on retailers in general.

It is possible to telephone instructions to transfer sums between accounts, amend or cancel standing orders and direct debits and order foreign currency, although in some instances confirmation needs to be given in writing.

For customers who cannot get to us during normal office hours, we offer PhoneBank Express. This enables customers to use the telephone for many of their banking needs. The service is free and available between 8.00.a.m. and 10.00.p.m. every day of the year, including bank holidays. Calls are charged at local rates and if you would like to register for this service, please ring 0500 179 050.

If you envisage that the branch closure will cause you a specific difficulty with your banking in future, I know that the Manager of Brookmans Park branch, or one of his/her colleagues, will be happy to discuss any available alternatives with you. If you wish to contact them on the telephone, the telephone number is 01707 650991.

Once again, my apologies for the concerns which have prompted you to contact us.

Regards
Keith - Lloyds TSB

I do not think this is satisfactory.
Regards,
Colin Barber
Brookmans Park, Herts. UK - 23:47:10 Wednesday 09 February 2000

Despite having a current account with Lloyds for 23 years, and a business account for 4 years, Lloyds did not do me the courtesy of sending me a letter re the closure. When my Lloyds TSB business account manager rang me yesterday to discuss plans for my business account I pointed out that the only plans I had were to close it!

I asked why I had not received a letter he said 'they had asked the branch staff for names of people using the bank'. This method was clearly unscientific and inaccurate. If this was the basis for closing the bank it was a serious error.

Given the wealth within the village, I wonder if Lloyds TSB would consider it economical to close the bank if every resident closed all their Lloyds TSB accounts (irrespective of the holding branch). It is worth a try. I have written to inform them of my decision to close all accounts and credit cards if they persist. The more people who write to say this, the more chance we have of turning the situation round.
Jacqui Wash
Brookmans Park, No county/state, No country - 19:26:01 Thursday 20 January 2000

I called Mr Brett yesterday. He was very polite and was concerned to ensure customers do not leave the bank.  He stated that ATM usage was about a third of the amount found in other branches and therefore the ATM would not remain. I understand the lease on the building is also due for renewal in the near future.  I suggested that although 'footfall' maybe low there are several high net worth customers (me EXCLUDED!) who keep their bank account at Brookmans Park, because they wish to support the village.  Mr Brett said that all Brookmans Park bank accounts are now 'domiciled' at Potters Bar. This means the value of Brookmans Park customers to LloydsTSB is obscured and blurred by the overall targets for Potters Bar.  Maybe we need to clearly show/quantify the financial value to LloydsTSB of staying in the village?
Jay
Brookmans Park  - 16:06:37 Wednesday 19 January 2000

Probably the best way to fight the closure of Lloyds TSB branch would be to individually write letters to David Brett (the manager), in this way he would be overwhelmed by the letters. People who have signed the petion should write to him asking him to close their accounts on the 14 April (the date on whoch the branch is due to close).  It will be very dissapointing to see the bank go.
No name given <Email address not supplied>
Brookmans Park, Herts, UK - 15:48:37 Sunday 16 January 2000

It's a great shame that Brookmans Park is in the latest national batch of villages and small towns to have its local banking facilities closed down on grounds of 'savings, 'technology', etc etc...  Quite a few of us here (students, staff, etc) are annoyed about this too.
John Fisher
ROYAL VET COLLEGE HAWKSHEAD CAMPUS  - 17:04:35 Wednesday 12 January 2000

The suggestion of keeping the cashpoint is sensible. If the Post Office is to handle deposits and withdrawals of cash on behalf of Lloyds TSB, the queues are likely to get out of hand. A cashpoint would greatly ease the burden.
Rupert Lee
Brookmans Park, Herts, United Kingdom - 11:14:47 Wednesday 12 January 2000

I am a regular user of the facilities in Brookmans Park although my account is held elsewhere. This - in common l am sure with others - may suggest a lower level of customer demand than is actually the case, and l would, therefore, request Lloyds to reconsider their decision.
Michael Winfield
Brookmans Park, Herts, UK - 10:15:44 Wednesday 12 January 2000

We feel deceived by Lloyds TSB as we specifically asked whether this branch would close prior to moving our account to Brookmans Park two months ago. The fact that Lloyds had a branch in the village with a cashpoint facility was THE reason we transfered account to them!! We've written to David Brett, Lloyds Branch Manager, requesting that if the branch is to close that the Cashpoint machine remains, as this is a very useful facility, which can be maintained at minimal cost to the bank.
Caroline & Jay
Brookmans Park, Herts - 11:17:53 Tuesday 11 January 2000

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