Teddington will be left without a high street bank as Halifax announced it is shutting on 2 November. 

The banks said an increase in customers using digital banking and managing their money online has meant visits to the branch has fallen. Only 54 customers of Teddington Halifax used the bank regularly in the 12 months prior to March 2023.  

The nearest Halifax bank branch residents can visit is either in Kingston on Eden Street or Richmond on The Quadrant. 

"It is important for Banks to give a level of trust and a face to the company, especially when there is a lot of money involved," said Nils Fearons, a 41-year-old window cleaner. 

Mr. Fearons said he understood going cashless was convenient as well as a by-product of people adapting to new technology. However, he explained some people don't trust digital banking and making transfers. 

"People aren't using cash enough," said Mr. Fearons. "Cash is a physical representation of money. No-one can take it off you."

Mr. Fearons explained that with people using contactless or mobile phone payments people can access all your savings. 

"If you use your phone or your watch you carry every single bit of cash on your person, leaving you vulnerable to getting robbed," he said. 

Mr. Fearons spoke of using physical money as more moderate way of living. "With cash, you only carry all you need that day," he added.

As a window-cleaner, Mr. Fearsons said he took both online and cash payments for his services. However, he claimed he was thinking about only taking cash "to keep cash alive."

With both being over two miles away from the current Halifax branch, there are concerns the distance will adversely affect the older generation who prefer banking in person. 

The Halifax bank also said customers will be able to deposit cheques into current and savings accounts in the Post Office in Teddington. 

Between April 2021 and March 2022, 800 banking branches have closed, many as a result of the economic pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.