It comes as banks continue to reduce their bricks and mortar presence in towns and cities due to changing customer habits and a rise in digital banking.
Lloyds Banking Group will be closing 10 Halifax sites as part of its latest announcement.
These join other branches already closed to add up to around 100 confirmed closures, re-assessments, branch relocations, and ATM closures.
For many, branches closing makes banking trickier, or pushes change in their habits.
Emma Jones, Managing Director at Whenthebanksaysno.co.uk says: “The implacable march of technology continues, but for many consumers, especially older ones, it comes at a cost.
“Many prefer face-to-face banking and this is slowly disappearing from the high street. This latest retreat is another blow to the shops and businesses that line the UK’s high streets as it will potentially result in less footfall at a time when many need it most.”
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Colin Low, Managing Director at Kingsfleet adds: “The days of cashing cheques, using passbooks and paying in cash seem like a distant dream. However, there is a very real problem with bank branch closures.
“At the point of a significant life event or the need to seek help or advice, being unable to meet someone face to face is a very real problem. When someone loses a loved one, goes through a relationship breakdown or is the victim of a scam, they need to meet with someone face to face.
“Someone who can talk through documents, provide reassurance or advise on solutions. These services are not, initially, profitable but over time, it is the providers who offer these services that will win the hearts and minds of the public, not those who put cost-cutting first.”
There are the current run of branches closing, and their last dates:
- Buxton, Derbyshire – January 20
- Deal, Kent – January 22
- Hastings, East Sussex – January 22
- Havant, Hampshire – January 15
- Middleton, Greater Manchester – January 8
- Seaford, East Sussex – January 19
- Skipton, Yorkshire – January 26
- Wandsworth, London – January 15
- Yeovil, Somerset – January 12
