Lloyds Bank has not considered the impact the closure of the Old Town branch will have on elderly people, says one Swindon pensioner.

Maureen Johnston, 86, says the February 3 closure will be a "disaster" for her and people who similarly depend on having a nearby physical branch.

With limited mobility, she says alternatives suggested by Lloyds are not accessible to her.

Maureen said: “It will be a disaster. Having the branch there was the ideal situation.

"I am 86. I can’t go running about all over the town. It is not in the customers’ interest.

“It's going to affect a lot of elderly people. I don't know what the elderly people here are going to do."

(Image: Google Maps)

Lloyds says that 82 per cent of customers already use other banking methods, like mobile, internet or phone banking, as well as other branches. 

It adds that transactions at the Swindon Old Town branch have fallen more than 57 per cent between 2019 and 2024.

A spokesperson suggested: “Customers can continue to manage their money online, by calling us, in person at the Brunel Centre branch, or the local Post Office on Victoria Road.”

However, Maureen, who has banked at the branch since 1937, says these options will not work for her.

Lloyds in Swindon Old Town among latest bank closures

She takes a taxi to the branch every three weeks to collect money for her food shopping.

She said: “Going to another bank is going to cost me a lot more in taxi fares for one thing.

“They suggested going to Cirencester or Malborough - well that is completely out of the question. That would cost me a lot.”

Furthermore, while the Old Town branch has off-street parking nearby, the nearby suggested alternatives do not.

Maureen says the pedestrianised Brunel Centre will not let her park near enough, and there is often no parking available on the street outside the Post Office.

She said: “I can't walk down Regent Street, or you've got to stop by a curb and I find that awkward to get up to.”

“Lloyds should keep this branch open for the actual convenience of the customers. They should be true and sincere and want to do everything they can for their loyal customers.”

The Old Town closure comes just four months after it was announced that Lloyds in Marlborough, the town's last High Street bank, would close.

Lloyds announced 28 branch closures around the UK in total for next year.