The NatWest Bank is pushing ahead with arrangements for a mobile bank to visit Caistor, town councillors heard.
The move comes after the bank confirmed the closure of its branch in the Market Square from August.
It is hoped the mobile bank – which will be about the size of a horsebox – would visit twice a week, Town Clerk Helen Pitman told Thursday’s meeting (July 9, 2015).
Originally the plan was for the mobile bank to visit for about an hour every Tuesday and Thursday morning, said Ms Pitman, but she had heard Mondays and Thursdays were currently being considered.
NatWest had looked at siting the van either at the car park in Mill Lane or at the Town Hall. The Town Hall car park was the preferred option because it was felt Mill Lane was further from the centre of town, and the Town Hall had a ramp and pavement to step up from, which would make access easier for some customers.
The bank were seeking council permission to use the Town Hall car park.
“It is the safest area,” said Cllr Steve Millson.
“It needs to be easily accessible for people to use. That’s really important,” said Cllr Jayne Bowman.
The councillors unanimously voted to allow the mobile bank to park at the Town Hall car park.
Meanwhile, the building in the Market Square currently used by the NatWest has apparently been sold to a businessman, the meeting heard.
Lincolnshire County Councillor Tony Turner, who was attending the meeting in his role of liaising with the town council, said he didn’t know what the plans were for the building. “If it was residential, I should think you would have something to say about it,” he said.
Cllr Turner said the bank’s lease was due to expire in the next few months but the bank has been asked to have an attractive window display in place if the building is empty for a time.
It is hoped an ATM cash machine would continue to be sited at the building in the Market Square. Councillors were told a planning application had been submitted for an illuminated sign and for a slight alteration in location “to set it back a bit,” said planning committee chairman Alan Caine. The application will be decided by West Lindsey District Council.