BRIGG CUSTOMERS MAKING FIRST VISITS TO NEW-LOOK COUNTER-FREE BANK

Brigg customers of Lloyds Bank are now making their first visits to the town centre branch since it reopened, having become counter-free.
Two additional ATM machines have been installed inside the Wrawby Street building, along with extra provision for paying in cheques.
But there are no longer any counters with staff behind the glass panels to handle customers' requests and to pay out floats for local businesses and take their takings which usually include coins of the realm.
Having been closed for a brief period while the refurbishment was carried out, Lloyds reopened on Thursday (October 11).
We paid our first visit the following day to bank a cheque.
In the past we opted to pay these in over the counter, but on this occasion we had to use one of the paying-in machines.
A member of the advisory staff came over to assist with this - and we didn't have to queue, which was usually the case when there were counters.
The machine accepted the cheque and issued a paper receipt.
We've been using ATMs for many years, but our Friday visit suggested that some senior customers of Lloyds were not conversant with the technology. However, staff were on hand to give guidance.
The new Lloyds branch looks good inside, and the familiar ATM on the front of the building has been retained to permit withdrawals outside banking hours.
While the branch was closed, some of us have been 'encouraged' to use our bank cards to buy items below £30.
Perhaps some will use this 'swipe and go' method of payment more often in local shops than they used to.
Lloyds has gone counter-free but the company has invested money in refurbishing its Brigg branch to retain a presence in the town.
HSBC and NatWest closed their Market Place branches, and both buildings are still on the property market.