Anger as last bank in Sowerby bridge closes its door for the final time

The Halifax Bank has closed down resulting in the town losing its last bank.

READ: Halifax MP anger over last bank closure in Sowerby Bridge

Sowerby Bridge councillor Dot Foster (Lab, Sowerby Bridge) led a community campaign to save the bank and is frustrated that residents’ concerns have been ignored the bank’s bosses.

Her petition against the closure received over 1100 signatures which was handed in to Halifax Bank’s Managing Director Russell Galley.

READ: Halifax bank branch in Sowerby Bridge to be shut down

It highlighted the impact on elderly customers and businesses in particular and noted that the bank as a whole had made nearly £2 billion profit last year.

Speaking to the Halifax Courier she said: “It was always going to be a difficult battle to convince a multi-national banking giant to accept its responsibilities to our community and keep open the last bank in town.

“I met with managers at the bank to put forward our case and present the petition which had had a phenomenal response from residents.

“This campaign has shown that our community will not accept these closures lying down and will fight to protect our local businesses and services.

“I’m angry that the bank have chosen to go ahead with the closure and will be working with others to explore how we can ensure that some banking services can be maintained in Sowerby Bridge."