Since February 2022, more than 2,200 bank branches across the UK have either closed or been slated for closure. This includes 24 branches in Somerset alone, reflecting a broader national trend of diminishing physical banking access.
On average, bank closure announcements have occurred at a rate of about 11 per week, or nearly 50 each month. November 2025 sees the highest number yet, with 24 scheduled closures nationwide, 16 of which belong to Lloyds Bank.
By the close of 2025, an estimated 536 branches will have shut their doors, with another 72 already planned to close in 2026. A further 49 closures remain scheduled, though dates are yet to be confirmed.
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In Somerset, notable recent closures include the NatWest branch in Bridgwater, which ceased operations in October 2025, and Lloyds Bank in Chard, set to close on November 11. Looking ahead, Halifax’s Yeovil branch will close in January 2026, while TSB in Frome is also marked for closure, though no date has been fixed.
Beyond Somerset, Bristol has lost 12 branches since early 2022, North Somerset seven, and Bath and North East Somerset six.
These closures follow a voluntary agreement among major banks—including Barclays, HSBC, NatWest, Lloyds, and Halifax—to assess the community impact of each closure through the LINK initiative. This commitment aims to protect vulnerable customers and small businesses as the UK increasingly shifts toward digital and cashless transactions.
When closures leave areas without local banks, alternative solutions like banking hubs and free-to-use ATMs are implemented to bridge the gap. To date, LINK has recommended 246 new services to maintain cash access in affected communities.
A recent House of Commons Library report attributes this downturn in physical banking partly to evolving consumer preferences favoring online banking and digital payments. It also highlights that decreased ATM operator revenues have contributed to the decline in cash access.
Chris Ashton, Chief Commercial Officer at LINK, emphasizes their mission: “We are dedicated to safeguarding access to cash through ATMs, Post Offices, and banking hubs. When a bank branch closes or a community requests an assessment, we respond by recommending new or enhanced services. So far, we’ve introduced 246 such solutions.”
Gareth Oakley, CEO of Cash Access UK, adds: “While digital banking suits many, millions still rely on cash or prefer traditional services. We are committed to maintaining access by delivering nearly 200 banking hubs and more than 100 deposit services. With two new hubs opening weekly, we anticipate reaching our 200th before Christmas.”
These measures seek to ensure that banking remains accessible to all, particularly those unable or unwilling to move fully into the digital financial landscape.