Lloyds, Halifax, NatWest and two other banks to shut another 80 branches

30 March 2023 , 10:21

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More banks will be closing over the next year (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Five major banks are shutting at least another 81 branches this year in a further blow for the UK high street.

Lloyds is closing 26 branches, Halifax is to close nine, NatWest will be shutting the doors of 40 of its branches, Bank of Scotland will close four and Royal Bank of Scotland its two.

This round of closures is to start in June and the last of this group of branches will shut its doors in November.

The branch closures are to affect branches in major cities such as London, Cardiff, and Edinburgh.

The closures will also be seen in smaller towns and villages too, and some could see their only banking branch shut.

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Lloyds Banking Group says it will be introducing six "Community Bankers" to provide banking support in local communities.

Natwest says it has a dedicated support line, which is open 8am to 8pm everyday and has shorter waiting times, for customers who are uncomfortable or unable to use its online services.

For those who need face to face help, Natwest also has a partnership with the Post Office to offer banking services support to customers.

Bank closures have become the norm over the last few years as more people choose to do their banking online rather than in a branch.

Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Halifax as well as Lloyds, has already announced a raft of closures in January of this year.

The group announced that 40 branches would be lost between April and June of this year which included 18 Halifax sites and 22 Lloyds branches.

Just this week, Barclays announced the closure of 14 branches across England and Wales.

The news of further closures will be disappointing news for those who depend on the face to face banking support from physical branches.

You can see the full list of closures below.

Full list of banks closing:

1. Lloyds

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   1. Benton - NE77EE - July 17

   2. Peterborough - PE38BP - July 17

   3. Fulwell - SR69BT July 20

   4. Chapeltown - S352XH - July 24

   5. London - N7 8JU - July 25

   6. Carlton - NG4 1JE - July 26

   7. Cambridge - CB4 5AB - July 31

   8. Shepton Mallet - BA4 5AD - July 31

   9. Hazel Grove - SK7 4DJ - August 1

   10. London - EC1 N2HP August 1

   11. London - EC2 N8AU - August 2

   12. Tumble - SA14 6EL - August 3

   13. Eckington - S21 4JH - August 9

   14. New Mills - SK22 3ES - August 17

   15. Corringham - SS17 7LY - August 21

   16. Wotton-Under-Edge - GL12 7DA - August 23

   17. Downham Market - PE38 9DH - September 4

   18. Shirebrook - NG20 8AD - September 4

   19. Sidmouth - EX10 8LQ - September 5

   20. Porthcawl - CF36 3AS - September 7

   21. Withernsea - HU19 2JR - September 12

   22. Wellington - TA21 8AF - September 13

   23. Newcastle upon Tyne - NE15 8LS - September 14

   24. East Horsley - kt24 6QW - September 18

   25. Ystradgynlais - SA9 1HD - September 19

   26. Doncaster - DN6 7HNSeptember 20

   Halifax:

   1. Catford - SE6 4HQ - July 18

   2. Bristol - BS16 7AE - July 19

   3. Tadcaster - LS24 9AL - August 22

   4. Denton - M34 3JU - August 30

   5. Otley - LS21 3HN - September 5

   6. Newton Aycliffe - DL5 4DS - September 6

   7. Porthcawl - CF36 3BA - September 7

   8. Newmarket - CB8 8EF - September 11

   9. Mirfield - WF14 8AZ - September 21

   Natwest:

   1. Ashton-in-Makerfield - WN4 9AH June 27

   2. Rothwell - LS26 0AF - June 28

   3. Tilehurst - RG31 5ST - June 28

   4. Bletchley - MK2 2YY - June 29

   5. Bristol - BS8 1BF - July 4

   6. Croydon - CR0 1UQ - July 4

   7. Deal - CT14 6EW - July 5

   8. London - W1D 3RU - July 5

   9. Romford - RM3 8DD - July 6

   10. Heald Green - SK8 3QF - July 11

   11. Hull - HU9 2YP - July 11

   12. Isleworth - TW7 4DD - July 12

   13. Knowle - BS4 2QA - July 12

   14. London - EC1A 4JA - July 13

   15. New Malden - KT3 4HB - July 13

   16. Cardiff - CF24 3UX - July 18

   17. Croydon - CR0 1BJ - July 19

   18. Street - BA16 0EJ - July 19

   19. Aldridge - WS9 8PJ - July 20

   20. Whitley Bay - NE26 2TQ - July 20

   21. Dorking - RH4 1AX - July 25

   22. March - JPE15 8TN - July 25

   23. Peterborough - PE1 2YY - July 26

   24. Tamworth - B79 7LS - July 27

   25. Blandford Forum - DT11 7AF - August 1

   26. Wymondham -NR18 0YY - August 1

   27. Knutsford - WA16 6EG - August 2

   28. Runcorn - WA7 1AQ - August 2

   29. Stony Stratford - MK11 1AJ - August 3

   30. Bournemouth - 8H89US - August 8

   31. Westbury on Trym - BS9 3BF - August 8

   32. Brighouse - HD6 1RL - August 9

   33. Fakenham - NR21 9BA - August 10

   34. Ryde - PO33 2PL - August 10

   35. Hertford - SG14 1YY - August 15

   36. Brighton -BN1 1DP - August 16

   37. Christchurch - BH23 1BB - August 16

   38. London - EC4A 2DX - August 17

   39. Fulwood - PR2 9RQ - August 17

   40. Stratford - E15 4BQ - November 30

   Bank of Scotland:

   1. Bearsden - G61 2SP - July 25

   2. Edinburgh - EH1 2PH - July 26

   3. Pollokshields - G41 2NL - July 27

   4. Cults - AB15 9SX - August 14

   Royal Bank of Scotland

   1. Tranent - Eh33 1HQ - July 27

   2. Johnstone - PA5 8DX - August 15

A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson said: “Our customers are increasingly using digital channels to manage their money – we now have over 20 million regular digital users so it’s important we continue to develop the online services our customers want to use. Our branches will continue to be an option for our customers, alongside our telephone services, mobile app and online bank.”

"All of the branch locations announced for closure have a Post Office and at least one free to use ATM nearby.

"As with all proposed closures, these plans have been through LINK’s independent cash-access assessment, where a number of enhancements have been recommended.

"All colleagues who work at these branches will move to a role at another branch or in another part of our business, there are no job losses as a result of these changes.

"All closures have been made in line with the Access to Banking Standard and FCA guidance."

A NatWest spokesperson said: “As with many industries, most of our customers are shifting to mobile and online banking, because it’s faster and easier for people to manage their financial lives.

“We understand and recognise that digital solutions aren’t right for everyone or every situation, and that when we close branches we have to make sure that no one is left behind.

“We take our responsibility seriously to support the people who face challenges in moving online, so we are investing to provide them with support and alternatives that work for them.”

Ruby Flanagan