Hurricane Melissa has reshaped access to financial services in parts of rural St Andrew after First Heritage Co-operative Credit Union confirmed that its Lawrence Tavern branch will not reopen months after the storm forced it to shut its doors.

The closure leaves members in the hillside community without a local credit union branch, highlighting the difficulties some rural areas face in restoring essential services after major weather events.

In a notice to members, First Heritage said the decision followed a review of whether normal operations could realistically resume at the location.

“Following careful review and consideration, we wish to advise that the Lawrence Tavern Branch will not be reopened,” the credit union said.

The branch has remained closed since the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025, with the institution indicating that efforts to reactivate business activities proved difficult in the months following the storm.

According to the credit union, the situation became even more complex after the recent passing of the building’s landlord, which added to the operational challenges involved in restoring the facility.

While the physical branch will no longer operate, First Heritage said members will continue to be served through its wider branch network and digital banking platforms.

“This transition allows us to focus on providing you with more convenient, efficient, and flexible service options, including expanded digital access and improved service capacity at our other locations,” the credit union said in the notice.

Members who once relied on the Lawrence Tavern location will now have to travel into the Corporate Area to access a physical First Heritage branch, with the nearest locations likely to be the credit union’s Kingston Gardens branch on East Avenue, its Eureka Road office near Cross Roads, or its New Kingston branch on Dominica Drive.

The credit union did not disclose how many employees were attached to the Lawrence Tavern branch, but said the staff members who previously worked at the location have been reassigned to other branches within the organisation.

FHC added that members can continue to conduct transactions through First Heritage’s network of ten branches across the island, as well as through its iTransact online banking platform, mobile app, ATMs and Bill Express agents.

— Karena Bennett