FOUR big banks are going to be pulling the plug on 36 more branches.
Bank of Scotland, Halifax, Lloyds and Natwest are all shutting more locations across the UK.
Banks have been closing left, right and centreAlamy
The closures come as big banks look to move more of their services online.
Data from the UK’s largest cash machine network, LINK, keeps track of any planned branch closures across the UK.
Bank of Scotland is closing two branches in Scotland, while Halifax will be pulling down the hatches on 15 banks across England and Scotland.
Lloyds is closing 18 banks and Natwest is shutting just one.
All closures are set for next year with some starting as early as January.
Sharon Dowsey, MP for the Scottish Parliament, previously said that it was “completely unacceptable” that so many people are being left without access to in-person cash services.
Commenting on the closure of the Cumnock branch set for February next year, she said: “These decisions are frustrating, particularly since I know that a lot of people rely on this branch for access to cash.”
“The local community is hacked off by this decision. It leaves loyal customers and businesses struggling to get the services they need.”
Other disappointed customers expressed their thoughts on social media.
Many are feeling the effect of branches that have shut their doors already.
One took to Facebook and said: “What on earth are we support to do… Wow are all the elderly people supposed to do that don’t do online banking and where are we going to get the cash we need?
“Not everyone has a car. “
While on Twitter, one shopper tagged her bank and said: “I am at the end of my tether with Halifax in despair – tried to visit a branch today only to find you close at 3pm.”
Someone else wrote: “Annoying that the only way I can close my Help to Buy ISA is in a branch of Halifax, so after a 40 min drive to the branch I’m now in a huge queue and one of the computers has gone down.”
Another upset customer added: “You’re forcing people to go cashless and disadvantaging people.
“Cash is not a crime. Keep the branch open.”
Here’s the full list of locations that will be closing next year:
Bank of Scotland
Isle of Arran – January 31 Millport – February 20
Halifax
Aberdeen – January 11Batley – June 24 Bicester – February 7 Bodmin – June 20 Cleckheaton – January 1 Gosforth – January 8Hailsham – February 19Hatfield – June 25Leeds – January 9Penzance – February 20Sheldon – April 22Stourbridge – Janauary 10Uckfield – February 1Edinburgh – February 26Glasgow – February 5
Lloyds
Batley – June 24Bexhill-on-Sea – February 6Bodmin – June 20Burgess Hill – February 12Cradley Heath – February 8Gateshead – January 9Hailsham – February 19Haverhill – June 25Hertford – February 12Llantwit Major – February 8Withington – January 9 Nailsea – February 2Portishead – September 9Royston – June 17Saffron Walden – February 2Seaham – June 19Stretford – March 12Uckfield – February 1
Natwest
Princes Street, London – August 29
Banks have been shutting left, right and centre across the UK – with several disappearing just this month.
Just a few weeks ago (September 8), Barclays closed its stores in St Ives, St Andrews and Haverhill.
Two days earlier, Santander pulled the plug on three banks.
These included two in Milton Keynes and one on Finchley Road, London.
Before that, HSBC closed four on September 5 – these were the Settle, Epwroth, Holsworthy and Hythe branches.
We’ve got the full list of banks closing in September here.
What you can do if your local branch closes
While the vast majority of banking customers are moving online, branches closing can leave some in the dark.
Many elderly people, particularly those in rural areas, rely on physical branches to carry out day-to-day tasks.
However, if you’ve been left stuck by a recent bank branch closure in your local area, you have some options.
You can carry out most basic banking tasks at the Post Office.
You won’t be able to apply for a loan or open a new bank account at one though.
Many banks offer a mobile banking service – where your bank brings a bus to your area offering services you can usually get at your bank.
You should get in touch with your bank who will be able to tell you if they offer such a service and when it is next in your area.
Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.
Again, contact your bank to see what they might be able to do for you.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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