Battle to lose yet another bank as Lloyds set to close

Over the weekend, Lloyds announced that it plans to shut its branch in the High Street as part of a programme of closures which will see 49 branches closing up and down the country during the first quarter of 2017.

A closing date for the Battle branch has not yet been set.

Lloyds will be the third bank to vanish from Battle town centre since September 2014.

There was outcry from residents when Barclays announced it was shutting up shop in autumn 2014, with the town’s branch of HSBC following suit in December 2015.

The news about the forthcoming departure of Lloyds has been met with disappointment.

Rother District Councillor for Battle, Kevin Dixon, said: “It’s very disappointing that Lloyds have decided to follow Barclays and HSBC by leaving Battle.

“Residents and businesses now have such a limited choice with only Nat West left as the only bank in town.

“We must try to ensure that we work with them to ensure they remain committed to staying in the town to keep the High Street vibrant.

“Without a major bank, residents would be forced to visit elsewhere, to the further detriment of our traders.”

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