The closure is the latest in years of decline of bank branches across the UK
LLOYDS Bank is set to close its Whitchurch branch in May, leaving the area with no remaining bank branches.
This closure is one of 136 branch closures announced last week by Lloyds Banking Group, which comprises Lloyd’s Bank, Halifax and the Bank of Scotland, to take place by March 2026.
Once the Whitchurch branch closes on May 29, 2025, there will only be one bank branch left in Cardiff North – NatWest in Llanishen, which is a 25-minute trip from Whitchurch by public transport.
A Lloyds spokesperson said: “As many customers now choose to bank through their app or online, visits to our Whitchurch Cardiff branch have fallen over recent years.
“When the branch closes in May, customers can continue to manage their money on our app, online, by calling us, in person at the Victoria Park branch, or the local Post Office on Merthyr Road.”
However, residents are concerned over the impact this closure could have.
“It’s a shame,” said Kim, who does not want her full name used. “It’s part of the community.”
The volunteer for Cerebral Palsy Cymru has been using the branch for 20 years. She does not like to use ATMs on the street and the branch provides her with a safe place to withdraw money. She is worried about where she will now go to do her banking.
Kim said the Cerebral Palsy Cymru shop on Whitchurch High Street would now have to use post office for its banking. She said the queues there are already long and thinks the increased footfall generated by Lloyds could make it even busier.
“It’s making it difficult for the everyday person,” said Lloyds customer Maria Hitchins.
“Banks have all this money, yet can’t afford to keep a bank open. I’m really going to miss it.”
The 82-year old also enjoys the security of withdrawing money from the branch and doesn’t feel safe using online banking.
Lloyds has said that its customers are able to use any Halifax branches alongside Lloyds branches for in-person banking and can use other options such as app, online and telephone banking or the post office.
‘It’s unfortunate for people living in the area’
“It’s quite sad,” said Miles Davis, whose mum uses Lloyds.
He is concerned on the impact that closing the branch will have on the elderly, who need assistance and support with their banking.
“The high street is difficult enough. Taking [banks] away is very unfortunate for people living in the area.”
The 57-year-old lives in Whitchurch and has witnessed first-hand the decline of banks in the area.
A branch of Nat West closed in 2018 whilst a Barclays branch shut in 2022.
Bank branches have been closing at an alarming rate in recent years.
The consumer research group Which? found that banks and building societies in the UK have closed 6,266 branches since January, 2015, a rate of 53 a month.
According to the Commons Library, using data compiled from the British Bankers’ Association, and the Office for National Statistics, the number of bank and building society branches in Wales between 2012 and 2022 fell by 37%.
“It’ll be a big loss the village because everybody needs cash,” said Jason Richards, who works at Serenade Cards and Gifts.
He said that many people in Whitchurch, including his customers, are still reliant cash. He is concerned the closure of Lloyds will make it harder for people to access cash and worries about the knock-on effect this could have for businesses.
LINK, the UK’s Cash Access and ATM Network, works to make sure people across the UK can access cash.
Nick Quin, head of Financial Inclusion said: “Over the past couple of decades, we’ve seen a big shift in banking and payments, with many customers now choosing to pay or bank digitally. In payments, there are more options through contactless payments and through online shopping which means cash use is falling.
“As a result, it does mean that people are visiting bank branches and cash machines less often and therefore we are seeing closures. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone is comfortable or able to use digital yet. Recent research by LINK shows that almost one-quarter of adults says they feel digitally excluded and almost five million people rely on cash.”
Following regulations bought in last year, when a bank branch closes LINK conducts Cash Access Assessments to assess the impact it will have on the local community and makes recommendations.
In LINK’s outcome of their assessment of cash access in Whitchurch they said: “We are not recommending the provision of any new cash access services in Cardiff Whitchurch at this time.
“This is because our assessment shows there are already cash access services and facilities within a one-mile radius which are suitable for the needs of the local area, or the deficiency does not cause a significant impact on the local area.”
Julie Morgan, Member of the Senedd for Cardiff North said: “I was very taken aback by the news that Lloyds is to close in Whitchurch. Over the past few years Cardiff North has been blighted by bank closures.
“I have written a joint letter with Anna McMorrin MP and the local councillors Kate Carr, Jamie Green, Jackie Jones and Marc Palmer to Lloyds senior management to seek an urgent meeting to stress how important keeping a physical bank branch is for our constituents.
“We are particularly concerned about older, more vulnerable customers as well as the many local businesses that use this branch to carry out their banking needs.
“We are actively exploring whether there are any alternatives and we will be keeping constituents updated with any progress.”
Julie Morgan requested a statement from the Welsh Government on bank closures during Tuesday’s business statement in the Plenary session at the Senedd.
Jane Hutt, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip said: “Financial inclusion, of course, is a key priority for the Welsh Government. The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning is engaged, as I am, in looking at the opportunities.”
Ms Hutt cited banking hubs, community bank discussions, the Smart Money Cymru Community Bank as examples of the options they are exploring.
