PRESTEIGNE will be left without a major bank when Lloyds withdraws from the town in eight months’ time.

Lloyds in Presteigne, located on Hereford Street, is slated to close on March 3, 2025, and is one of 109 Lloyds branches closed or closing.

A total of 60 Lloyds Banking Group branches, including 28 Lloyds, 17 Halifax and 15 Bank of Scotland locations, will shut between October 2024 and June 2025.

Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland are all part of the Lloyds Banking Group, which announced on June 28 that it will shut at least 237 of its bank branches in 2024 and 2025.

Halifax has closed or is closing a total of 87 branches, with 41 Bank of Scotland branches closed or closing.

In a booklet explaining its decision to close the Presteigne branch, Lloyds said: “Before we close any branch, we look at how our customers are managing their money and using the branch.

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“Most customers are now using our mobile banking app, internet banking or calling us instead. This means they are using branches, including our Presteigne branch, much less. Because of this, we'll be closing our Presteigne branch.”

Lloyds explained that some banking services can still be obtained at Presteigne Post Office. The bank’s cash point will also be removed from March next year, meaning the nearest ATMs will be four or five miles away at Co-operative stores in Knighton and Kington.

Local Lloyds customers were left angry after revealing they had not been informed directly of the impending closure.

One unhappy Lloyds customer said: “I have had an account with Lloyds in Presteigne for over 42 years.

“I have not received any correspondence from Lloyds Bank to say that my local branch is closing.

“It’s a disgrace that I have had to find this information on a third party website and speaks volumes of how little Lloyds Bank care for their customers.”

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Amy Evans added: “Banks being open awkward hours (for most people who work) forces people to do this.

“I’ve recently opened a Lloyds account after always banking with Barclays – only because there is a branch in Presteigne. What a waste of time that was.”

Elaine Millard labelled it “the end of an era for Presteigne” and “sad time for the town”; expressing hope that the iconic building will now be used for something worthwhile.

Customers will have to travel to Leominster for their nearest in-person banking services.