‘Our high street is a ghost town’ cry shoppers as 500-branch bank axes ANOTHER store

RESIDENTS have told how their high street is now “a ghost town” after a 500-branch bank axed yet another store.

Lloyds bank today shut its store in St Noets, Cambridge, as the bank chain looks to move away from the high street.

Locals are now fuming with the closure as they now must travel to Huntingdon or Biggleswade to do their banking.

One person fumed: “The town will be a ghost town soon just memories of what was.”

Another added: “The trouble and reality is high street banks like shops have not been able to adapt fast enough to compete with the internet. 

“That’s why St. Neots along with many other high streets are almost ghost towns it’s a shame to see but let’s hope that there is a way in which they can be brought back to the busy places they once were.”

A third asked: “Will we have any banks left then?”

It comes as Lloyds banking group last month announced they are closing another 45 of its branches as it makes a move away from high street banking.

The banking group confirmed 22 Halifax branches, 19 Lloyds branches and four under will be shut down.

Lloyds is set to close the bulk of the branches in March and April next year, with some also closing in August and a tranche in November.

A Lloyds spokesperson said: "The world is becoming more digital than ever before and more of our customers are doing their everyday banking online. With more customers choosing to use digital ways to bank and manage their money, visits at this branch have fallen.

"As a result, we've made the difficult decision to close it. We’re still here to support you and there are a number of ways you can do your everyday banking with us - online, on your mobile, over the phone or at a Post Office.

"After the branch closes, we'll have a Community Banker visit this area. They can offer support and guidance on the ways you can bank with us."

The bank revealed that 119 customers had used the branch regularly in the 12 months to March 2023. 

They added that 79 per cent of customers using the branch also used other Lloyds banks, internet banking or PhoneBank.