MP and councillor urge Halifax to rethink Ellesmere Port branch closure

Community leaders are urging Halifax to reconsider the planned closure of its Ellesmere Port branch.

Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders and Cheshire West and Chester Council deputy leader Karen Shore have written to Charlie Nunn, CEO of parent company Lloyds Banking Group.

Their intervention follows confirmation the Marina Walk branch — including its cash machines — will close on June 8 as part of plans to shut 95 High Street branches nationwide.

In a joint letter, Mr Madders and Cllr Shore, whose Central and Grange ward includes the branch, wrote:

“The loss of a Halifax presence represents a further reduction to in-person banking provision in our town centre.

“For many residents — particularly older people, small businesses and those with vulnerabilities — face-to-face banking remains essential.

“Digital services, telephone banking and Post Office facilities play an important role, but they do not offer the same level of reassurance, specialist advice or accessibility that a fully staffed high street branch provides.”

Halifax will direct customers to its nearby Lloyds branch and cash machines in Marina Drive. However, the pair are seeking guarantees about the long-term future of that site.

Asking the CEO to think again, they wrote:

“Our community needs confidence that access to in-person banking services will not continue to diminish over time.

“We urge Halifax to reconsider this closure or, at the very least, pause the decision while meaningful engagement with local representatives takes place.”

Mr Madders has raised the issue in Parliament. He highlighted that the Government is investing £20 million in the town centre over 10 years, yet ongoing bank closures risk undermining those regeneration efforts.

He recently campaigned alongside customers of Barclays to try to save the face-to-face banking hub established within Trinity Methodist Church after the Whitby Road branch closed in 2023.

Pictured - The Halifax branch in Marina Walk, Ellesmere Port.