Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed a significant wave of branch closures for February 2026, with 16 locations set to shut their doors. This move affects two of its major high street brands: Lloyds Bank and Halifax.
Details of the February Closures
The closures consist of 11 Lloyds Bank branches and five Halifax branches, spread across various towns and cities in the United Kingdom. This decision reflects a broader, ongoing trend within the banking sector towards digital services and a reduced physical footprint.
Lloyds Bank Branch Closures
The Lloyds Bank branches scheduled for closure in February 2026 are located in:
- Swindon – February 3
- Kendal – February 10
- Brecon – February 11
- Cranbrook – February 11
- Wadebridge – February 17
- Stow-on-the-Wold – February 17
- Brynmawr – February 17
- St Ives – February 24
- Chesham – February 24
- Liskeard – February 24
- Kenilworth – February 24
Halifax Bank Closures
The Halifax branches closing this month include:
- Thetford – February 4
- Belfast (Castle Court) – February 4
- Kendal – February 10
- Belfast (Connswater Shopping Centre) – February 10
- Gillingham – February 11
The Shift to Digital Banking
A spokesperson for Lloyds Banking Group emphasised the changing habits of customers, noting that over 21 million customers now regularly use the group's banking applications. The spokesperson stated, “We’re providing more choice than ever before, bringing together the best in digital convenience with our people.”
To support customers affected by these closures, the group highlighted alternative banking options. These include using any remaining Lloyds, Halifax, or Bank of Scotland branch, accessing services at the Post Office or local banking hubs, and depositing cash at more than 30,000 PayPoint locations nationwide.
Broader Industry Context
This latest round of closures is part of a much larger, long-term decline in the UK's bank branch network. Data from consumer group Which? reveals that since January 2015, banks and building societies have shut a staggering 6,660 branches across the country.
The closures underscore a fundamental transformation in how financial services are delivered, with a clear pivot towards online and mobile banking platforms. While this offers greater convenience for many, it continues to raise concerns about access to essential services for those who rely on in-person banking, particularly in more rural or isolated communities.
