Problems closing Halifax Web Saver Extra

Beckyy

I have a Halifax Web Saver Extra (2.3%) as an instant access savings account. Since the merg with Lloyds they now have new savings accounts and I have opened an 'Online Saver' (2.8% for a year) with the intention of closing my Web Saver Extra and having everything in it put into the Online Saver.

I went into branch today to close the WSE (don't do well with the call centres from home!), and after 40 minutes with very nice staff I was fnally told that the only way I could close it was if there was a £0 balance. Meaning I need to tranfer all existing funds into the Online Saver, as a straight close cannot be done when there are funds there. That's fair enough, except that I've already used up the 2 withdrawals on the acc. this year and as the transfer of all funds would count as a withdrawal I would lose 30 days interest, which is significantly more than I would gain from having it in the new acc. So I was told to leave the money in the WSE until the acc. anniversary (end of Dec) and then transfer it all, and close it then. I was also told I have to close it through the post - not through branch/phone.

Can anybody shed any light as to whether there are any other options? Or am I just left waiting until the acc. anniversary before I can close it with the tranfer? It seems a little off to be penalising customers for changing from an acc. which isn't even offered anymore.