Following on from our cub reporter’s last post, she’s been digging a little deeper and come up with this bizarre result.
Lloyds Banking Group are closing both Havant branches in January 2026, but keeping both Waterlooville branches open!
For a bank who only a few weeks ago were trumpeting the news that their two branded branches would happily process each other’s customers’ business, doesn’t this seem ridiculous?
Lloyds Banking Group once proudly styled itself as “The Listening Bank” – a promise of attentiveness, accessibility, and community presence. That legacy rang hollow when the two Havant branch closures were announced, severing a vital link for residents who rely on in-person banking, especially the elderly, digitally excluded, and small business owners.
This decision is not merely commercial, it is civic. It undermines financial inclusion, contradicts the principles of stakeholder engagement, and erodes the social infrastructure of our town centres. In Havant and across Hampshire, we are witnessing a pattern of retreat that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities and contradicts the bank’s current slogan, “By your side.”
HCS is calling on our Councillors to raise the matter with the appropriate parties to request that Lloyds Banking Group:
- Pause and consult meaningfully with affected communities before closures proceed.
- Publish impact assessments detailing how closures affect accessibility and financial resilience.
- Offer mitigations such as mobile banking units, community partnerships, or digital support tailored to local needs.
If Lloyds wishes to remain “by our side,” it must first listen again.
In recognition of the fact that our councillors are extremely busy holding their officers to account over the current planning system mess, we’ve done some of the leg work for them – here’s a draft motion for them to debate:
If you’re a customer of Lloyds or Halifax, here’s what you can do
You can do your bit to turn up the heat too – here are your options:
- Online Complaint Form & Messaging: click this link: Lloyds Bank Complaints Page
- Phone: Call Lloyds Bank Customer Services at 0345 300 0000 (NB: This first puts you through to an AI helper, persist that you want to speak to a human. It asks for your bank details, so just say ‘not applicable’, they don’t need your bank account to answer questions about branch closures.)
- Email: Write to both worldwideservice@lloydsbank.com and info.email@lloydsbank.com
- In Branch: While the local branches are still open, you can lodge a complaint in person.
- Write: (yes, a real letter) to Lloyds Bank, Customer Services, BX1 1LT. Alternatively, write a letter and hand it in to your local branch. They will ensure that it’s processed.
Havant Civic Society 