John Oram's photos with the keyword: TSB

The destruction of the UK's bank branch network continues with the familiar consequences for communities and for the state of our high streets and town centres. The banks have created a self-fulfilling prophecy of low footfall which they then use in a rationale for further closures. Having set a benchmark for IT failure as recently as 2018, TSB has, as part of its recovery programme, accelerated and expanded its branch closures. The Fareham branch, at 123 West Street, which closed on 22 October 2020, actually had very good customer service but was constrained by lack of space - particularly difficult to manage during the Covid pandemic - and had no ATM. A notice on the door reads, rather disingenuously, 'We're closed, but we're still here to help'. This is a part of West Street already blighted by retail closures. A branch of LCE (London Camera Exchange) at number 135 stood empty for at least two years after its closure in 2015 and this is an established pattern for commercial property in Fareham and beyond. TZ70_P1030111E

TSB, 123 West Street, Fareham, Hampshire. This simplest of town centre branches does not have a cash machine but is notable for the fact that its staff were resilient and supportive during the protracted difficulties which arose with IT in 2018. 200_3_P1100654CE

The rebranding of Lloyds Bank, depicted in an earlier post, was coincident with the return to our towns after 18 years of TSB. This poster appeared in Wheatsheaf Alley, Sheerness only yards from the High Street branch. P1180918

The rebranding of Lloyds Bank, depicted in an earlier post, was coincident with the return to our towns after 18 years of TSB. This branch is in High Street, Sheerness. P1180915