Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches to be shut

Lloyds Banking Group has revealed another 45 branches are to be shut amid no sign the wave of closures across the industry is nearing completion.

Lloyds said it was closing 22 Halifax branches, 19 Lloyds branches and four in the Bank of Scotland business next year.

It takes the group total to at least 276 sites this year and next alone.

A spokesperson said: "The way customers choose to bank with us has changed rapidly in recent years, and we now offer a wide range of options for their everyday banking needs.

"This includes our mobile app, online and over the phone. Customers can also bank with us through the Post Office, in a Banking Hub or by speaking to a Community Banker.

"All colleagues will be offered other roles across our business."

The announcement follows hot on the heels of rival NatWest, which recently announced a further 19 closures across its brands.

The latest closures take the total number of high street branches shut across the sector to 623 so far this year, with Barclays leading the way with 185.

The wave of closures began as lenders - many of them rescued by the taxpayer during the financial crash of 2008 - moved to cut costs aggressively.

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While banks say the closures are all linked to a collapse in demand for branch services as more customers use online services instead, consumer groups and charities argue that many customers are still struggling to access the services they need.

That is despite arrangements to ensure banking services remain available in communities that have lost their main branches.

The Lloyds Banking Group branches to be shut - and the proposed date of closure:

Halifax:

• Lymington - High Street - March 11

• Macclesfield - Chestergate - March 11

• Barnet - High Street - March 12

• Orpington - High Street - March 12

• Dereham - Church Street - March 14

• Stamford - High Street - March 14

• Barry - Holton Road - March 18

• Dartford - High Street - March 18

• Penrith - Middlegate - March 19

• Diss - Market Place - March 20

• Stafford - Greengate Street - April 8

• Whitehaven - King Street - April 9

• Ilford - High Street - April 15

• Morley - Windsor Court - April 16

• Daventry - High Street - April 17

• Herne Bay - Mortimer Street - April 17

• Borehamwood - Shenley Road - April 18

• Spalding - Bridge Street - April 18

• Bridgwater - Fore Street - April 23

• New Milton - Station Road - April 23

• Dagenham - Heathway - May 15

• Hessle - The Square - August 15

Lloyds:

• Shotton - Chester Road West - March 13

• Ruislip - High Street - March 13

• Penrith - King Street - March 19

• Diss - Market Hill - March 20

• Willesden Green - Walm Lane - March 21

• Brackley - Market Place - March 26

• Selby - Market Place - April 3

• Newtown - High Street - April 3

• Rochester - High Street - April 4

• Putney - High Street - April 4

• Dover - Market Square - April 11

• Mexborough - Main Street - April 22

• Caernarfon - Pool Street - April 30

• Burnham-on-Sea - High Street - November 13

• Whitley Bay - Whitley Road - November 13

• Poole - Ashley Road - November 13

• Warminster - Market Place - November 14

• Droitwich - Victoria Square - November 14

• Rugeley - Upper Brook Street - November 14

Bank of Scotland:

• Glasgow - Byres Road - March 21

• Tarbert - Harbour Street - April 29

• Bowmore - Shore Street - May 8

• Helensburgh - Shore Road - August 15