TWO Somerset branches of Lloyds Bank are closing in a move one county MP described as “unacceptable”.
The chain has announced 95 sites – made up of 53 Lloyds branches, 31 Halifax and 11 Bank of Scotland outlets – will shut between May this year and March next year, including Lloyds in Street and in Clevedon.
Lloyds said the closures were coming as more customers choose to bank online.
“Customers want the freedom to bank in the way that works for them and we offer more choice and ways to manage money than ever before,” they added.
MP Sarah Dyke (Lib Dem, Glastonbury & Somerton) said: “I am extremely disappointed to hear that Lloyds Bank is planning to close their Street branch in march 2027.
“Lloyds Bank is the only remaining bank with physical premises in Street. The proposed closure means residents will be forced to travel to Bridgwater or Wells to visit a Lloyds branch, or rely on mobile banking for the majority of their transactions.
“While a Banking hub will be provided in Street Post Office, this will only be staffed by a community banker one day a week.
“It is unacceptable that Street residents will be left without a physical bank branch.
“This closure will make accessing cash and banking services more challenging for elderly and disabled customers.
“In addition, residents of rural areas with poor internet or mobile connectivity – like many in the Glastonbury and Somerton constituency – mobile banking is simply not a feasible alternative.
“I have today written to Lloyds Bank, urging them to reconsider this ill-conceived decision and keep their Street branch open.
“I will continue to fight to ensure my constituents can access the banking services they need.”
READ MORE: Street & Glastonbury news from your Somerset Leveller
The full list of Lloyds Bank branches closing is:
Aberdare
Altrincham
Birkenhead
Birmingham, Blackheath
Birmingham, Bordesley Green
Birmingham, Highters Heath
Birmingham, Upper Kingstanding
Bournemouth
Bristol, Fishponds
Cardiff, Victoria Park
City of London, Cheapside
Clevedon
Coalville
Crowborough
Daventry
Didcot
Ebbw vale
Golders Green
Heswall
Hinckley
Hoddesdon
Honiton
Horncastle
Hull, Hessle Road
Hull, Ings Road
Kingswinford
Lancaster
Llangefni
London, Camberwell
London, Fitzrovia
London, London Bridge
London, Streatham
London, Victoria
London, West End
Lymington
Moreton-in-Marsh
Newmarket (Suffolk)
Norwich, Aylsham Road
Reading, Woodley
Redhill
Ringwood
Sevenoaks
Southam
Staines-upon-Thames
Stoke-on-Trent, Longton
Street (Somerset)
Swansea, Winch Wen
Tewkesbury
Uttoxeter
Wareham
Wednesbury
West Byfleet
Wolverhampton, Tettenhall
Halifax branches set to close are:
Ashington
Ashton-under-Lyne
Billingham
Bognor Regis
Bridgend
Cardiff, Roath
Chichester
Chorley
Croydon
Cwmbran
Doncaster, Armthorpe
Ellesmere Port
Goole
Greenford
Halesowen
Horsham
Leeds, Bramley
Liverpool, Hunts Cross Shopping Park
London, Hammersmith
London, Pentonville
London, Surrey Docks
Manchester, Didsbury
Mexborough
Nottingham, Beeston
Nottingham, West Bridgford
Shipley
Skelmersdale
Southgate
Sutton Coldfield
Thornaby-on-Tees
Torquay, Lymington Road
Bank of Scotland branches closing are:
Aberdeen, Bridge Of Don
Balivanich
Blairgowrie
Broughty Ferry
Glasgow, Baillieston
Haddington
Kelso
Lochgilphead
Penicuik, John Street
Rutherglen
Stonehaven
READ MORE: Business news from your Somerset Leveller
People are being forced to use internet banking, not ‘choosing’ to use it. This is why over 40,000 people are moving accounts to Nationwide every couple of months.