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Hilgay resident David Harrison was last customer of Lloyds bank in Downham Market before it closed on Monday




A self-employed electrician who has been banking with Lloyds in Downham for 68 years was the branch’s final customer before they closed their doors for good.

The bank closed on Monday, leaving Downham completely bankless.

A banking hub has temporarily opened in Downham Town Hall which gives customers the chance to tend to their banking needs.

Hilgay resident David Harrison was the last customer at Lloyds in Downham. Picture: Michael Fysh
Hilgay resident David Harrison was the last customer at Lloyds in Downham. Picture: Michael Fysh

David Harrison made it his mission to be the last customer to walk through the doors of the Bridge Street branch before it shut at 3pm on Monday.

Mr Harrison, from Hilgay, has held an account with Lloyds for 68 years after his parents set it up for him when he was a baby.

The self-employed electrician was a familiar face to staff at the branch, as he would often go in to pay in cheques given to him from customers.

Lloyds in Downham closed on Monday. Picture: Michael Fysh
Lloyds in Downham closed on Monday. Picture: Michael Fysh

The 69-year-old explained that he has had to use the bank less due to customers using online banking to pay him for his services - but said he was “annoyed” that Lloyds decided to shut.

“I’m annoyed, I can understand it because people don’t use banks as much as they did. I used to probably go in there every week with about 10 to 15 cheques, now I probably only get one cheque a week,” said David.

When asked why he wanted to be the bank’s last customer, he said: “I don’t know really, I was in town that day and I thought I’d like to be the last customer.

“I’ve been going there all those years and I thought it would be good to tell people that I was the last customer to go through the door. The lady working in there shut and locked the door just as I walked out, so I was definitely the last.”

He added: “I’ve been going in there for years, I’ve seen all the staff keep changing. The ones that are in now would always say ‘hello Dave are you alright?’ and we’ve had a good reception from them.

“The banking hub could be convenient, having a bank one day a week might suit me, it would save me going into Lynn.

“I can imagine it will be a bit of a shock to the old people in Downham, they will probably have to get their children to help them out.”



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