As UK bank branches continue to close across the country, customers of major banking groups such as Halifax, NatWest, Lloyds, and Barclays are warned to prepare for further disruptions in April 2025. The closures form part of a broader trend that has seen over 6,293 branches shut down since January 2015, as banks increasingly shift towards digital and remote services.
Research from consumer champion Which? highlights that NatWest Group, which includes NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), and Ulster Bank, has closed the most branches of any UK banking group, with a total of 1,431 locations shut. Meanwhile, Lloyds Banking Group, which comprises Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, has shut 1,321 branches. Barclays follows closely behind, having reduced its network by 1,236 branches. This overall shift to digital services is reshaping the way customers access banking.
The closures have raised concerns for many customers, particularly those in rural areas, who rely on physical bank branches for their banking needs. As a result, many customers may find it increasingly difficult to access in-person services such as cash withdrawals, cheque deposits, and financial advice.
Starting in January 2025, customers of Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland will be able to use branches across any of the three banks for everyday banking transactions. This arrangement, designed to provide continuity for affected customers, means that basic services like cash deposits, withdrawals, and paying in cheques will remain available at branches of the three banks. However, many customers will still face a significant challenge due to the overall reduction in physical bank locations.
Martin Lewis, the founder of Money Saving Expert, warns customers who may be affected by these closures: “If you no longer want to stay with Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland, you might want to consider switching to a bank that does have a local branch nearby – although bear in mind there’s no guarantee that won’t close as well.”
For those unable to access a nearby branch, customers can use Post Offices for basic banking services, such as withdrawing cash and making deposits.
Several key branch closures are scheduled for April 2025, with customers of Halifax seeing closures in places such as Malton (April 8), Chippenham (April 15), and Newbury (April 16). Other affected Halifax locations include Oswestry, Runcorn, and Tamworth, with closures continuing throughout the month. Similarly, NatWest customers will see branches close in Cleveleys, Dewsbury, and Bishop Auckland in late April. Barclays will also close its Cockermouth branch on April 4, while Lloyds customers will be impacted by closures in locations such as Kenilworth (April 2) and Hitchin (April 7).
In Cornwall, concerns have escalated as local businesses and bank customers brace themselves for closures. The Lloyds branch in Launceston is scheduled to close on May 12, followed by Halifax on June 3 and Santander on June 16. Local traders have expressed worries that the impending closures will affect footfall, significantly impacting their businesses.
Lloyds customer Mary Alford lamented, stating, “It’s a disaster really, especially for the town. It’s so handy, especially for older people like me. We want to go and do things, talk to people rather than online; and, yes, very, very disappointing. I have to travel 16 miles [25km] to get here and will have to travel further if I wish to do business with Lloyds Bank.”
Merwyn Quick, owner of Quick and Son flooring, emphasized the need for foot traffic, adding, “People are coming into town usually to put money in or take money out... if you take the banks away, what other reason is there to come into town? We need the footflow, we need the people.”
Craig Chapman, owner of a local hairdressing salon, raised concerns regarding business fees that he continues to incur despite the closure of nearby branches. “The fact that there isn’t a business advisor to be able to visit is absolutely disgraceful... our fees are the same or increasing.”
Philip Warren, managing director of Philip Warren butchers, one of the largest employers in the area, echoed similar sentiments, stating, “It’s not going to help businesses in the town. The reasons to come into a market town would be to do your banking, Post Office, etc., so it’s not going to do the town centre much good.”
A spokesperson for Lloyds claimed that over 76% of its personal customers already use alternative banking methods, such as mobile, internet, or phone banking, along with other branches. Post-closure, a community banker will visit the area to offer targeted support as long as it is needed. They also noted that local Post Offices would still provide everyday banking services, with cash available at nearby ATMs.
Santander's Launceston branch is one of 95 banks across the UK set to close. A spokesperson for Santander UK affirmed, “Closing a branch is always a very difficult decision and we spend a great deal of time assessing where and when we do this and how to minimize the impact it may have on our customers. However, we believe the introduction of our new community bankers... alongside our award-winning mobile banking app, will provide a balance between digital banking and human interaction when required.”
As the UK banking landscape continues to evolve, customers find themselves at the mercy of the digital transformation that is, for many, reshaping banking access and experiences.
