Lloyds

BANK branches across the UK continue to close at pace as Lloyds and NatWest confirm more branches are to shut for good in the coming weeks.

Hundreds have already shut so far this year with a staggering 163 more closures in the pipeline for the coming months.

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Banks are set to close a slew of their stores over the coming weeks and months.

In September alone, a total of 26 NatWest branches and 13 Halifax branches will pull down the shutters for good.

The closures are set to extend into October and November as banks grapple with the customer turn toward online and mobile banking.

And banks including NatWest and Lloyds have confirmed even more closures too with some now earmarked for 2026.

Banks and building societies have closed a whopping 6,443 branches since January 2015 equating to 53 closures every month, according to to consumer champion Which?

Sam Richardson, Which?’s deputy editor, said that the closures represent a “seismic shift” in how Brits bank.

NatWest

NatWest is just one of the major banks to be closing a swathe of its sites throughout the UK.

According to the Metro, a NatWest spokesperson said that more than 80% of its current account holders use digital services, and over 97% of retail accounts are opened online.

A total of 54 branches will be pulling the shutters down this year and since 2015, the NatWest Group — which also includes Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank — has shut 1,409 branches.

Full list of NatWest closures

NatWest are closing a huge number of bank branches in the coming weeks and months.

• Abingdon, September 24
• Birmingham (Acocks Green), September 16
• Birmingham (Edgbaston), September 11
• Birmingham (Shirley), October 1
• Birmingham (Smethwick), September 25
• Bicester, September 30
• Bridgwater, October 27
• Bridport, October 29
• Bristol (Fishponds), September 4
• Cardiff (Canton), September 16
• Cardiff (Llanishen), September 11
• Chippenham, October 15
• Cirencester, September 17
• Cwmbran, September 1
• Dorchester, October 22
• Ely, September 10
• Halesowen, September 3
• Hinckley, September 17
• Honiton, October 21
• Luton (Leagrave), September 15
• Leicester (Melton Road), September 2
• Leicester (Oadby), September 10
• Leighton Buzzard, October 28
• Llangefni, September 4
• Lowestoft, October 15
• Melton Mowbray, September 29
• Midsomer Norton, October 8
• Mold, October 21
• Neath, October 13
• Newmarket (Suffolk), September 24
• Northampton (Weston Favell Shopping Centre), September 15
• Paignton, October 2
• Rayleigh, September 2
• Redditch, October 14
• Ringwood, October 1
• Romsey, October 13
• Leamington Spa, October 1
• Stevenage, October 7
• Stratford-upon-Avon, October 8
• Sudbury, September 30
• Trowbridge, October 16
• Wellingborough, October 7
• Wickford, September 18
• Willerby, September 22
• Wisbech, September 1
• Yate, September 25

Expected to be confirmed later:

• Ashby-de-la-Zouch
• Cromer
• Evesham
• Launceston
• Portishead
• Torquay

Lloyds

Lloyds will close a number of its branches for good in the coming weeks with more closures announced for March 2026.

While four branches will shut in September, a further 23 will close for the final time in October and November while 13 more are due to wind down in March next year.

The bank says they assess “impact on customers” when it comes to shutting its branches.

Full list of Lloyds closures

Lloyds are set to close a number of branches before the year is out with 13 also confirmed for 2026.

• Biggleswade, November 5
• Blandford Forum, November 10
• Bristol Bishopsworth (Church Road), November 6
• Bury, October 21
• Chard, November 11
• Coventry (Foleshill), November 4
• Debden, November 12
• Dunstable, November 4
• East Grinstead, November 12
• Feltham, November 4
• Ferndown, November 17
• Hexham, November 5
• Hornchurch, September 11
• Kidderminster, October 16
• Leeds (Armley), September 22
• Loughton, November 12
• London (Tooting), October 8
• London (Walthamstow), October 22
• Manchester (Newton Heath), November 5
• Monmouth, September 12
• Plymstock, November 4
• Pontardawe, November 20
• Sheffield (Woodhouse), November 11
• Shipston-on-Stour, November 11
• Southall, October 15
• Stoke-on-Trent (Trent), October 10
• Thetford, September 12

Those due to close in March 2026 are:

• Briggs, March 3, 2026
• Catheram, March 5, 2026
• Falmouth, March 5, 2026
• Glossop, March 9, 2026
• Houghton-le-Spring, March 10, 2026
• Hucknall, March 4, 2026
• Leominster, March 3, 2026
• Peterlee Yoden Way, March 3, 2026
• Seaton, March 11, 2026
• Sleaford, March 12, 2026
• Thornbury Avon, February 26, 2026
• Tunstall, March 9, 2026
• Wymondham, March 12, 2026

Halifax

Halifax is another bank that have now announced closures for next year.

Lytham Road is due to close in February 2026 while four more will shut the following month.

The bank has previously reported a 48 per cent drop in face-to-face transaction at their branches in the last five years.

Because customers are using branches less, the brand has closed an enormous number in an effort to cut costs.

Full list of Halifax closures

Halifax will close a number of its branches from now through to November and have also earmarked several for closure next year.

• Barrow-in-Furness, September 10
• Bexleyheath, October 23
• Blackpool (Lytham Road), October 29
• Bolton, November 25
• Brentwood, September 10
• Bristol (Kingswood), October 8
• Carmarthen, October 6
• Castleford, September 8
• Cirencester, September 25
• Crewe, October 14
• Derby, October 23
• Eltham, October 29
• Epsom, September 15
• Erdington, September 24
• Folkestone, October 9
• Hayes (Hillingdon), October 6
• Hexham, November 11
• Hove, October 20
• London (Clapham Junction), September 23
• London (Woolwich), October 1
• Long Eaton, September 18
• Mold, October 16
• Monmouth, September 30
• Morecambe, September 29
• Northwich, September 3
• Rhyl, September 23
• Richmond (Surrey), September 16
• Sittingbourne, October 15
• Skegness, September 3
• Southport, October 7
• Stevenage, October 23
• Stretford, October 15
• Telford, October 22
• Thetford, October 1
• Walkden, September 25
• Wallasey, September 4
• Wickford, November 10

Those due to close in 2026 are:

• Birmingham (Beardwood), March 2, 2026
• Lytham Road, February 24, 2026
• Nelson, March 4, 2026
• Peterlee, March 3, 2026
• Sleaford, March 12, 2026

Santander

Santander will be closing a fifth of its branches in a major cost-cutting mission. 

The brand have confirmed 19 branch closures after 14 shut up shop for good in August.

Surrey Quays branch will shut on November 10 while the remaining branches are yet to have a confirmed closure date.

Santander has confirmed previously that 93% of the UK population will still be within 10 miles of a branch

Full list of Santander closures

Santander will close 19 branches but only one has a confirmed date for closure.

• Surrey Quays, November 10
• Bexhill, TBC
• Billericay, TBC
• Dover, TBC
• Droitwich, TBC
• Dunstable, TBC
• East Grinstead, TBC
• Holyhead, TBC
• Ilkley, TBC
• Larne, TBC
• Lytham St Annes, TBC
• Maldon, TBC
• Morley, TBC
• North Walsham, TBC
• Redcar, TBC
• Saffron Walden, TBC
• Turriff, TBC
• Uckfield, TBC
• Urmston, TBC

Bank of Scotland

Bank of Scotland is closing five of its branches in the remaining months of 2025.

As with Lloyds and Halifax, closures have now been confirmed for next year too.

Wider trends

As of last December, 64% of the branches that were open at the start of 2015 are now closed.

Branch closures peaked in 2017, when 867 sites closed across the UK, more than 70 each month, followed closely by 792 closures in 2018.

But community groups and campaigners point out that the closures are a concern for older people who are less comfortable with digital technology.

Research shows 39 per cent of people aged over 65 do not use online banking, putting them at high risk of financial exclusion.

SEVERAL major high street bank brands are set to slash opening hours at hundreds of branches within days, The Sun can reveal.

Lloyds Banking Group, which operates Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, is set to shake-up opening hours at all 757 of its branches from September 29.

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The move is being branded as a step towards consistency and improved staff wellbeing, but it will also mean less time for customers to access in-person banking services.

Under the new rules, branches will open later and close earlier than many currently do.

Weekday opening times will shift from 9am to 9.30am, with an even later start of 10am on Wednesdays to allow for dedicated staff training and development.

Closing times, which currently vary between 4.30pm and 5pm depending on the branch, will now be standardised to between 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

This means customers who previously had access to branches for longer hours will now lose up to 90 minutes of service each day.

Saturday hours are also being reduced, with branches opening at 9.30am instead of 9am.

Most will close by either 1pm or 3pm, cutting 30 minutes from morning banking services.

These changes will result in a net reduction of banking hours across the week.

For example, customers who rely on branches that currently open at 9am and close at 5pm could lose significant time for banking tasks.

The reduction in opening hours reflects a broader trend in the banking industry, as more customers shift to online and mobile banking.

With fewer people visiting branches in person, banks are cutting back on physical service times.

The changes are set to come into effect on September 29, with staff already being informed of the adjustments.

Customers who rely on in-branch services are being advised to check the new opening hours before planning their visits.

You can check your local branch’s operating hours by visiting branches.lloydsbank.com.

Lloyds Banking Group was contacted for comment.

How do I switch bank accounts?

SWITCHING bank accounts is a simple process and can usually be done through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).

Dozens of high street banks and building societies are signed up – there’s a full list on CASS’ website.

Under the switching service, swapping banks should take seven working days.

You don’t have to remember to move direct debits across when moving, as this is done for you.

All you have to do is apply for the new account you want, and the new bank will tell your existing one you’re moving.

There are a few things you can do before switching though, including choosing your switch date and transferring any old bank statements to your new account.

You should get in touch with your existing bank for any old statements.

When switching current accounts, consider what other perks might come with joining a specific bank or building society.

Some banks offer 0% overdrafts up to a certain limit, and others might offer better rates on savings accounts.

And some banks offer free travel or mobile phone insurance with their current accounts – but these accounts might come with a monthly fee.

Other bank changes

Lloyds, Halifax, NatWest and Bank of Scotland is also closing a total of 119 branches over the next few months.

Last month, the Co-operative Bank announced plans to reduce opening hours at some of its branches by up to three hours a day.

In addition, 18 of these branches will close for one weekday each week.

Starting in January 2026, up to 25 of the affected branches will also shut on Saturdays.

However, the bank has confirmed that none of its branches will be permanently closed as part of these changes.

In June, Santander cut opening hours in half at 36 branches.

This move came as part of a broader restructuring, which also includes the closure of 95 branches and the conversion of 18 to “counter-free” service desks.

In April, Nationwide revised the opening times at 12 high street branches.

This means the days when your local branch would normally be closed have now been shifted to different days of the week.

The seaside rich list is out from millionaire’s row to the bucket and spade champions of the north – check out how some of the UK’s favourite getaway destinations rank

Britain’s most expensive seaside towns and the bargain “hidden gems” have been revealed. While the beaches of Sandbanks in Dorset still sit at the top of the seaside rich list, there are bargains to be had in the north of England according to the latest research.

But home buyers wanting to move to Sandbanks will not get much change from £1 million with the average house price £965,708 last year, according to Lloyds. While some of the cheapest can be found at Blackpool at £146,764 and Newbiggin-by-Sea in Northumberland at £132,863.

Sandbanks in Dorset, a popular location for celebrities such as former football manager, Harry Redknapp, with its array of upscale restaurants and glitzy nightlife. The bank said the average house price in Sandbanks has fallen by 3%, or £33,595, compared with 2023, but still sits at the top of its coastal property league.

One of the most expensive properties on the peninsula is a waterfront mansion on the site of a bungalow that John Lennon bought for his aunt 60 years ago, which has gone up for sale for almost £15m.

It was renamed ‘Imagine’, in honour of the land’s connection to Lennon, who once described sandbanks as the most beautiful place he had been. Salcombe in Devon is second on the Lloyds list, with an average house price of £826,159 in 2024.

Foodie hotspot Padstow in Cornwall, where celebrity chef Rick Stein operates is third , with buyers paying £715,974 on average to live there and enjoy the charm of its harbour and seafood scene on a daily basis.

But Newbiggin-on-sea in Northumberland is described as a “hidden gem” with it’s rugged beauty but rock bottom prices. It is described as a bay “teeming with marine wildlife, a peaceful beach known for its glowing sunrises and fiery sunsets, and Sean Henry’s intriguing Couple sculpture that sits out at sea. They’re all waiting for you in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea.”

Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds, said: “Coastal living continues to hold a special appeal – whether it’s the lure of sea views, sandy beaches, or a slower pace of life. “Our latest research shows the most exclusive seaside spots – like Sandbanks – still command premium prices.

“In some of the UK’s most desirable coastal towns, average prices have dipped slightly over the past year.

“But, over the longer term, values remain significantly higher – especially in the South West, where demand from lifestyle movers continues to shape the market. At the other end of the scale, there are still pockets of real affordability – particularly in Scotland, where buyers can find coastal homes for a fraction of the price.

“For those willing to look beyond the traditional hotspots, there are some hidden gems offering great value and a strong sense of community. It’s also important to recognise that not all coastal areas share the same fortunes.

“Some seaside towns face significant challenges, from seasonal economies to a lack of affordable housing for local people.”

Here are Britain’s most expensive seaside locations, with the average house price in 2024, according to Lloyds:

1. Sandbanks, South West, £965,708. 2. Salcombe, South West, £826,159. 3. Padstow, South West, £715,974. 4. Aldeburgh, East of England, £619,693. 5. Lymington, South East, £608,253. 6. St Mawes, South West, £552,198. 7. Lyme Regis, South West, £531,815. 8. Budleigh Salterton, South West, £496,998. 9. Dartmouth, South West, £495,643. 10. Kingsbridge, South West, £484,986

Here are Britain’s least expensive coastal locations, according to Lloyds, with the average house price in 2024:

1. Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, £103,078. 2. Rothesay, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, £111,764. 3. Millport, North Ayrshire, Scotland, £114,008. 4. Port Bannatyne, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, £115,421. 5. Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland, £116,211. 6. Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland, £117,751. 7. Ardrossan, North Ayrshire Scotland, £124,532. 8. Wick, Highlands, Scotland, £126,708. 9. Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, £128,888. 10. Saltcoats, North Ayrshire, Scotland, £129,194

Here are England and Wales’s least expensive coastal locations, according to Lloyds, with average house prices in 2024:

1. Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, North East, £132,863. 2. Fleetwood, North West, £146,338. 3. Blackpool, North West, £146,764. 4. Withernsea, Yorkshire and the Humber, £148,402. 5. Maryport, North West, £153,243. 6. Seaham, North East, £157,100. 7. Blyth, North East, £158,265. 8. Hartlepool, North East, £158,271. 9. Cleethorpes, Yorkshire and the Humber, £166,909. 10. Whitehaven, North West, £170,673

Here are the most, followed by the least, expensive coastal locations in each region or nation, according to Lloyds, with average house prices in 2024:

East Midlands – most Chapel St Leonards, £214,802 least Skegness, £202,559. In the East of England Aldeburgh, £619,693 – Lowestoft, £238,372. North East it is Whitley Bay, £310,918 then Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, £132,863. In the North West Grange-over-Sands, £308,419 then Fleetwood, £146,338. In Scotland, St Andrews, Fife, £458,381 then Campbeltown, Argyll and Bute, £103,078. South East it is most Lymington, £608,253 and least East Cowes, £239,605 and in the South West Sandbanks, £965,708 withe the least in Plymouth, £248,668. In Wales top spot goes to The Mumbles, £417,043 with Prestatyn, £192,331 at the bottom and in Yorkshire and the Humber Whitby/Robin Hood’s Bay, £299,161 and Withernsea, £148,402