A motion calling for bank bosses to reconsider closing Gorleston's last remaining high street branch is to be tabled at Great Yarmouth Borough Council.
Carl Smith, the leader of the borough council, has forwarded the motion as Gorleston is set to become Norfolk's largest town without a bank following Lloyds' announcement the High Street branch will close in the new year.
The motion, forwarded by Mr Smith and seconded by the council's lead for economic development and growth Daniel Candon, will be tabled at the full council meeting on Thursday, July 25.
GYBC leader Carl Smith. (Image: Newsquest) Mr Candon said: "This pending closure is yet another disappointment for residents and businesses that rely on their banking being done on Gorleston High Street.
"It’s an argument which stretches up and down the country: not everyone has access to online banking, and people actually want face-to-face advice.
"Banks need to take some social responsibility on this.”
Councillor Daniel Candon. (Image: Submitted) The motion, which was also signed by Yarmouth Labour leader Trevor Wainwright, states the closure "will have a significant impact on the local community, particularly affecting vulnerable residents, small businesses, and those with limited access to online banking services".
The council requests the chief executive of Lloyds Bank to reconsider the decision to close the branch and take into account the significant negative impact on the local community.
The motion also states an intention to explore alternative solutions - such as limited branch hours, implementing mobile banking units or partnering with local businesses to provide banking services.
The Gorleston High Street branch of Lloyds is set to close in the new year. (Image: James Weeds) Last week, Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe sent an open letter to Lloyds chief Charlie Nunn saying despite Lloyds was not responsible for the previous bank closures on the High Street, "the responsibility for closing the last branch does lie with your organisation".
Mr Lowe urged the chief to reconsider the decision and requested a meeting with Mr Nunn or a relevant member of Lloyds to discuss the matter.
The MP said on social media he had received a response to his letter, stating the issue was being looked into.
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