Cafe owner says bank closure has disrupted trade

A cafe owner believes trade has declined by 30% due to the closure of the town's last bank.

Lloyds left Hadleigh in Essex in September 2022, saying its footfall had declined in the preceding years.

Melissa Bennett-Blois, who runs Hadleigh Kitchen Cafe, said there were fewer walk-in customers, as they were less likely to visit the town centre.

"We lost a lot of custom and, to be honest, we are still trying to survive that," she said.

The business, formerly known as Natural Bake, rebranded in an effort to attract more custom, and also changed the menu and put on special events.

"A lot of people used to go to Hadleigh to get their money out or to put it through the banks," Ms Bennett-Blois explained.

"Then they'd think, 'I'm a bit hungry, should we get a bit of coffee or cake":[]}