THE planned closure of the last bank in Corsham is surely a disaster. While every effort should surely be made to persuade the bank to reconsider, I fear this is unlikely. It is certainly incredible for Devizes, with a population not much larger than Corsham, to retain five banks and three building societies when Corsham will have none. 
I understand Lloyds are suggesting they might provide mobile banking – not meaning mobile in that their customers will have to travel to Chippenham, but mobile as in ‘banking-in-a-van’. This is just insulting comparing Corsham to a Hebridean island (no offence Scotland).
There is a solution. Lloyds do operate micro branches (see their website) providing automated cash and cheque depositing, an ATM and the facility for staff and customers to meet. The micros are not necessarily full time staffed, although this would be desirable. Martingate can provide an ideal location. We have one remaining unlet unit in the shopping centre (the old toy shop) which would work well, and while this is not ideal, it would at least give the bank the opportunity to keep a High Street presence in our town, and to continue providing a vital service to our shopkeepers and their other customers.
Please Lloyds keep a presence in Corsham.
Bill Hall
Director
Martingate Centre Ltd