Knaresborough is set to lose its only bank next year as Halifax announces it is planning to close the branch in spring.
The Halifax bank on Market Square was the town’s last remaining bank.
When the news of the bank’s closure broke earlier this year 1,200 people signed a petition to encourage Halifax keep it open. But the bank has said due to a decline in use it has to close.
This decision means local people and businesses will have to travel into Harrogate and Ripon to bank their money.
A Halifax spokesperson said:
“In January this year we announced that the Knaresborough Halifax branch would be closing due to a decline in use. We paused the closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic and, after careful consideration, the planned closures will take place between March and April 2021.”
The cash machine will also be removed leaving the town with only two other cash points in the town centre. The Knaresborough Chamber of Trade has said it is looking into potential locations for another cash machine.
It said the loss of this bank will be a “major blow” for town, the chamber’s president Steve Teggin said:
“This is a sad set of affairs, it will be a major blow for the town. We have so many new businesses that have opened up recently and they have been let down by the banking system.”
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Harrogate Borough Council has said it will be launching a survey asking for residents’ views on the current banking services available in Knaresborough.
Cllr Graham Swift said “we can’t promise anything in the future” but says it is essential residents fill out the survey to show what facilities they think are necessary for the town.
Residents can fill out the survey, here, from today.
