Lloyds Bank has announced the permanent closure of its Soho Road branch in Handsworth, Birmingham, as part of a wider shift towards digital and online banking. The branch will shut its doors on 23 June 2027.
Part of Nationwide Branch Reduction
The banking group, which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland, is closing an additional 95 branches across the UK between May 2026 and March 2027. The Soho Road closure is one of these.
A banking hub with an ATM has been recommended for Handsworth by LINK, the cash machine network, to provide continued access to financial services.
Bank's Statement on Customer Options
A Lloyds Bank spokesperson said: “With access to one of the biggest branch networks in the UK, alongside local banking options like the nearby Post Office, Banking Hub Handsworth once it is up and running, PayPoint, plus our leading apps and 24/7 messaging service, we offer our customers more choice and convenience than ever before.”
Customer Reactions
The news has prompted sadness and surprise on social media, with many customers noting that the branch was always busy. John Devereux commented: “Used to work on the Soho Road up until a few years ago. Called into Lloyds and it was always busy? Sign of the times I guess.”
Sushma Kaler expressed concern for elderly customers: “It's all fine closing all these branches but the big issue is a lot of our elderly folks can't use online banking and app. These local branches are their way of being able to do their banking so closing the branch is segregating them.”
John Spencer shared a personal memory: “Started life as the Birmingham Municipal Bank, as a small child I had a savings card here. You bought a stamp each week and when you had filled the card it was worth a pound in fact I still have one 65 years later!”
Ashanoor Rahman predicted: “Every bank going to close except for the ones in city centre.” Owen Falconer added: “It's crazy. It's always so busy in that bank.”
