Lloyds Wallsend Closes Tuesday 3 November, Cash Machine Too

Lloyds Bank’s Wallsend branch closes for good on Tuesday 3 November. The branch is at Royal Chambers, High Street East, NE28 8PJ. Its cash machine will close as well.

The bank gives its reason in its branch closure notice. “With most now using our app, online services or phone banking, we’re closing our Wallsend branch,” it says.

A banking hub in Whitley Bay

Lloyds says a Banking Hub “is already open” at 18-20 Park View, Whitley Bay, NE26 2TQ. The Post Office runs it. It is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

At the hub, Lloyds customers can:

• pay in and take out cash
• check their balance
• pay some bills and top up gas and electricity
• see a Lloyds Community Banker on set days

The days the Community Banker visits are on the Cash Access UK hubs page.

The nearest Lloyds branch

The notice names Lloyds, 15-21 Northumberland Street, Monument Mall, Newcastle, NE1 7AE as the alternative branch. It lists these hours:

Lloyds says public transport runs between the Wallsend branch and the Newcastle one, “with a service at least every hour”. Lloyds customers can also use any Halifax or Bank of Scotland branch.

Cash in Wallsend after Tuesday

The notice lists these options:

• Free cash machine: Nationwide, 11-13 High Street East, NE28 8NX.
• Post Office: Wallsend Post Office, 57-58 High Street West, NE28 8HX. Lloyds customers can pay in and take out notes and coins, pay bills and check balances. Cheques are not accepted.
• Cash In and Out machine: at Morrisons, Shields Road, Byker, NE6 1EJ. It takes and pays out cash on a debit card, free of charge.
• PayPoint: personal customers can pay in cash through the Lloyds app at PayPoint shops. The limit is £300 a day and £600 a month.
• Cash at the till: participating shops let you take out up to £50 with a debit card and PIN, with no purchase needed.

Who the bank told

Lloyds’ second notice says it contacted:

• the MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
• the Post Office’s banking team and senior representatives
• the National Federation of Sub Postmasters
• the local Citizens Advice
• the local Chamber of Commerce

It says “some customers shared their concerns, disappointment or questions about the closure”. Staff phoned customers who use the branch as their main way of banking, and held a digital support event.

What it means for you

• Tuesday is the last day. From Wednesday, Wallsend Post Office handles everyday cash. The Whitley Bay hub adds a Lloyds Community Banker on set days.
• Help is on the phone. Personal customers can call Lloyds on 0345 300 0000, business customers on 0345 072 5555. The free Digital Helpline on 0345 222 0333 helps with online banking, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
• LINK reviewed cash access first. The independent Cash Access Assessment is on the LINK website. Lloyds says residents and local organisations have 28 days to ask for a review or appeal.