Lloyds announces closure of Portchester branch - but tells customers to use ATMs at two stores set to close

Customers at a Lloyds branch earmarked for closure are furious that the bank has told them to use ATMs at two shops also due to close down.

Declining use and an increase of online banking were behind the reason for the bank in West Street, Portchester to close, according to a spokesman from the company.

He said: ‘We have made the difficult decision to close Portchester on August 25 due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which means the branch is being used less often.

‘We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.’

The branch is to close due to declining use.

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Lloyds Banking Group has announced it is to shut 56 banks across the country, including the Halifax in Palmerston Road in Southsea and the Lloyds in The Square, Wickham.

A profile of the branch’s use found that counter transactions have decreased by 17 per cent and cashpoint transactions are down 15 per cent for personal account customers compared with last year.

But a councillor has accused the company of ‘not doing its homework’ after it suggested customers 'continue to bank locally by visiting the nearby Post Office’ - which is in a branch of McColl’s that is due to close.

The McColl’s store, in West Street, Portchester, is set to shut on Saturday, July 18.