Calls are being made for a banking hub in Swindon after Lloyds announced that it will close one of its Swindon branches.

The Swindon Old Town Lloyds is one of 28 branches across the UK which will be closing permanently after the company claims it is no longer needed.

The Old Town branch will close its doors on Monday, February 3, 2025, and a spokesperson for Lloyds has explained: "Before we close any branch, we look at how our customers are managing their money and using the branch.

"Most customers are now using our Mobile Banking app, Internet Banking or calling us instead."

Lloyds Bank in Old Town was one of two branches in SwindonLloyds Bank in Old Town was one of two branches in Swindon (Image: Google Maps)

But according to Sir Robert Buckland, there is still a need for local in-person banking facilities.

The former Swindon South MP, standing for election again, has issued a statement calling for a banking hub to be established in the town, in addition to his push to reopen a pharmacy in Old Town.

"The proposed closure of Lloyds Bank in Old Town is yet another reminder of the fact that important local services like banking and pharmacy services must be preserved," he stated.

“I’m already working very hard to try and make sure that a Pharmacy reopens in Old Town for residents. And I'd like to do the same for banking.

“I think that we need a hub, where residents of any bank can use banking facilities locally, in a one-stop shop."

Swindon is not the first Wiltshire town to have pushed for a banking hub after losing a High Street bank.

The banking hub in Royal Wootton BassettThe banking hub in Royal Wootton Bassett (Image: Cash Access UK)

Both Royal Wootton Bassett and Marlborough have pushed for the concept of a banking hub, which functions as a counter service managed by the Post Office where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out cash transactions.

The Royal Wootton Bassett hub, which is run by Cash Access UK, sits in the former Post Office building on 33 High Street and has been described as "necessary" for the town after it lost its last bank in 2022.

"The availability of banking services to residents and businesses is an extremely important, integral part of the Town Centre offer," Lyneham Councillor Allison Bucknell told the Adver.

Sir Robert Buckland, who is pushing for the banking hub, is standing as the Conservative candidate for Swindon South in the upcoming general election.

Other candidates standing in Swindon South are:

  • Heidi Alexander (Labour)
  • Roderick Hebden (Green)
  • Catherine Kosidowski (Reform UK)
  • Matthew McCabe (Liberal Democrats)
  • Martin Costello (Independent)