Town's last permanent bank branch to close

A Derbyshire town's last permanent bank branch is set to close, it has been announced.

Lloyds will shut its site in Ashbourne from June 2025, leaving the town without a single full-time bank.

The bank said visitor numbers had been falling at Compton Street and 78% of its customers in Ashbourne already used mobile, internet or phone banking or regularly used more than one branch.

Cash machine network LINK is recommending a shared banking hub service for Ashbourne following the decision, Lloyds added.

A Lloyds Bank spokesperson said: “As many customers now choose to bank through their mobile app or online, visits to our Ashbourne branch have fallen over recent years.

“Customers can use the local Post Office for everyday banking which is a short walk away, and access cash at the nearby free-to-use ATMs.

“Customers can also manage their money online, by calling us, or at the new Banking Hub once it is up and running."

Lloyds said the Dig Street Post Office offered banking services, while there were four free-to-use cash machines within a mile of the closing branch.

Derbyshire Dales MP John Whitby said the loss of banks posed real problems to towns like Ashbourne and Bakewell, where the last bank was closed by NatWest in February.

He added: "Banks are essential things. In my experience, small towns with lots of small businesses and independents that attract lots of tourists rely on cash and therefore rely on banks.

"In the coming days and weeks I will be doing everything in my power to help bring alternative banking facilities to Bakewell and Ashbourne."

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