Closure confirmed of 45 bank branches, including Halifax in Lymington and New Milton

THE closure of banks in Lymington and New Milton has been branded “a hammer blow” by a New Forest mayor.

Lloyds has confirmed it is shutting 45 branches across its network – which includes Halifax and Bank of Scotland – amid the ongoing shift away from high street banking.

This includes the Halifax branches in Lymington and in New Milton, which will close in March and April respectively.

Lymington and Pennington mayor, Cllr Jack Davies, called the closures “a hammer blow to both towns”.

He added: “Not everybody can bank online.

“I urge Lloyds to copy the lead of Barclays in Lymington and open up a banking hub in both Lymington and New Milton so local people can continue to access face-to-face services."

He added: “I would also urge our MPs to lobby the government to stop towns being left with little or no face-to-face banking facilities.”

Bosses at Lloyds have stressed that all affected staff will be offered other roles at another branch or in a different part of the business, with no compulsory redundancies planned.

A Lloyds Banking Group spokesman said: “The way customers choose to bank with us has changed rapidly in recent years, and we now offer a wide range of options for their everyday banking needs.

“This includes our mobile app, online and over the phone.

“Customers can also bank with us through the post office, in a banking hub, or by speaking to a community banker.”