Closure of town's last bank will be 'devastating'

The closure of the last remaining bank in a Lincolnshire market town will be "devastating", according to a local business owner.

Lloyds Banking Group said it would shut its branch on High Street in Horncastle on 10 August as part of a shift towards online banking services.

Joanne Holderness, who owns Grace's Boutique, said she was worried that the closure would bring less people to the town and affect business.

She said: "We just need all the help we can get with the town and I'm now worried that that's another thing gone off the high street that will not help."

The announcement on Wednesday was part of the company's decision to shut 95 branches across the UK.

Holderness said she regularly relied on the bank to get change for her business and added that it was much easier to resolve banking issues face to face.

"It's a big pull for the town bringing customers in because a lot of local villagers use the bank," the boutique owner said.

Louth and Horncastle MP Victoria Atkins criticised the decision and said she has pushed for a banking hub to replace the lost services.

"As the final bank in the town, this is a big blow," she said.

"I will also be speaking directly to Lloyds to see how individual customers without access to mobile or online banking will be served going forwards."

A Lloyds spokesperson said: "Customers want the freedom to bank in the way that works for them and we offer more choice and ways to manage money than ever before."

The spokesperson said customers would be able to use the Lloyds Banking app, as well as their local Post Office and any Lloyds or Halifax pay points to manage money and deposit cash.

The branch was targeted by thieves in October 2025, who used a stolen JCB to rip a cash machine from the wall, causing "significant damage".

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