Sadness as town's last bank branch about to close

The last single bank branch in a Stoke-on-Trent town closes its doors for the final time on Monday.

A branch review in 2024 revealed Lloyds Bank in Tunstall had a "regular monthly branch usage" of 1,081 customers, based on those who used the counter or deposit machine in four out of six months ending that July.

Confirming the closure more than a year ago, the finance giant said most customers were now using its mobile banking app, internet banking and calling instead.

However, the town has followed Stone, Cheadle and Rugeley in gaining a banking hub, which has opened at the Post Office in Tunstall High Street.

The hub sees different banks operating throughout the week for those customers who still want to deal with someone face-to-face.

Lloyds is following in the footsteps of Barclays, Natwest and Cooperative Bank, which have all shut in the city's most northerly town within the past nine years.

A walk along Tunstall High Street in early March 2026 revealed several empty or shuttered shops.

Burslem resident Christine Wood said she thought the closure was "terrible".

"I've been a Lloyds customer 30 years. They've got a branch in Hanley, but they're not staying this end of the city," she said.

"The town is declining and without the banks, people don't come in.

"I can remember walking up and down the High Street when you could get anything there, from DIY to food. Now you can't."

Regular Lloyds customer Mark Johnson, from Tunstall, said he too was sad about the change.

"I will have to go all the way up to Hanley. I will have to catch a bus," he said.

A total of 81% of customers had used other branches and internet banking in a six-month spell, with 38% using the branch and the Post Office in a 12-month period.

Lloyds has said: "Before we close any branch, we look at how our customers are managing their money and using the branch."

At Tower Square, trader William Lewis at Doggy Dolittles commented: "I think the effect on the High Street will be a significant reduction in footfall.

"The banking hub has started up in the Post Office, but it is smaller. If the cash point goes, people will have to go to the one at Asda and then nobody comes back – it will be a significant impact."

Pat Wainwright, who runs the Polly Buttons stall at the indoor market, said: "If they're coming in for that particular reason, at least they are using the town and the market.

"If not, they haven't got to bother."

The facility at the Post Office is being delivered by Cash Access UK and is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00.

Customers can deposit cash and cheques, withdraw notes and coins, check balances, pay utility bills and top up gas and electricity, as well as arranging face-to-face appointments with community bankers from their own bank for more complex inquiries.

Natwest operates from the hub on Wednesdays and Barclays on Thursdays, while Halifax will be there on Tuesdays and Lloyds will offer services on Mondays.

Stoke-on-Trent North MP David Williams said he was "proud to have helped secure this banking hub for Tunstall".

"Too many residents and small businesses have been hit by bank closures, and people should not have to travel miles just to access basic banking services."

Aaron Elanchelian, who runs the banking hub, said the securing of a banking hub was a "significant win for our town".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.