‘Completely unacceptable’ as major high street banks to close 36 more branches forever – is your local going?

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.

1

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.

Here’s the full list of locations that will be closing next year:

Bank of Scotland

• Isle of Arran – January 31
• Millport, Scotland – February 20

Halifax

• Batley – June 24
• Bicester – February 7
• Bodmin – June 20
• Cleckheaton – January 1
• Gosforth – January 8
• Hailsham – February 19
• Hatfield – June 25
• Leeds – Januar 9
• Penzance – February 20
• Sheldon – April 22
• Stourbridge – Janauary 10
• Uckfield – February 1
• Aberdeen – January 11
• Edinburgh – February 26
• Glasgow – February 5

Lloyds

• Batley – June 24
• Bexhill-on-Sea – February 6
• Bodmin – June 20
• Burgess Hill – February 12
• Cradley Heath – February 8
• Gateshead – January 9
• Hailsham – February 19
• Haverhill – June 25
• Hertford – February 12
• Llantwit Major – February 8
• Withington – January 9
• Nailsea – February 2
• Portishead – September 9
• Royston – June 17
• Saffron Walden – February 2
• Seaham – June 19
• Stretford – March 12
• Uckfield – February 1

Natwest

• Princes Street, London – August 29

Sharon Dowsey MP previously said that it was “completely unacceptable” that so many people are being left without access to in-person cash services.

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].

You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk