Residents say bank closure is 'a nail in the coffin'

Luke Watson, owner of Nose2Tail Family Butchers in Lewes, said the closure of the Lloyds bank branch in the town would make it "difficult" for the business

Residents in an East Sussex town have expressed their disappointment over the planned closure of a local bank.

Lloyds is due to close its Lewes branch on 19 January 2026, leaving the town "without any full-service bank" according to Lewes councillors Edwina Livesey and Kevin West. Branches of Halifax, NatWest and HSBC also shut in the town since 2022.

Luke Watson, owner of Nose2Tail Family Butchers in Lewes, told Radio Sussex he felt "disappointed" about the closure of Lloyds, adding it would make banking for his business "difficult".

A spokesperson for Lloyds Banking Group said: "The way people are banking has changed, as more than ever, customers are choosing to manage their money through our apps."

"The Post Office offers everyday banking, with cash also available at free-to-use ATMs."

Mr Watson said his business takes a lot of cash in their sales.

"It takes us 10 minutes to walk to the bank to do our banking," he added.

When asked what the business' plans were after Lloyds closes, he replied: "We will have to go to the Post Office to do our banking.

"Or maybe try and find the nearest Lloyds, but it would be a problem for us. We're a small business and we don't have that time."

Michael Holmes said it was "very unfortunate" that Lloyds is closing in Lewes

Other residents have also voiced concerns about how the closure would impact people's lives.

Lewes resident Michael Holmes said it was "very unfortunate" the branch is closing.

"It would make it difficult for older people, people living with a disability and people who don't have smart phones," he added.

"There is an increasing tendency that if you don't have a smart phone, you are not catered for."

Richard and Ursula Winter said services moving online could be challenging for older people

Richard Winter said it was a "nail in the coffin" that another bank was closing in the town.

"It would put more pressure on the Post Office," he added.

His wife Ursula said it was a "shame".

"I go to Brighton to do banking at Barclays, otherwise I go to the Post Office in Lewes," she said.

The couple added as services are increasingly moving online, it would make it challenging for older people.

Ms Livesey and Mr West called for LINK to "urgently" establish a banking hub in Lewes as after the closure the town would be "without any full-service bank".

"This puts local businesses, older residents, and those without digital access at a serious disadvantage," they added.

LINK has been approached for comment.