Lloyds Banking Group is to close a further 48 branches, blaming declining visits by customers.

The Unite union said the closure of 41 Lloyds Bank and seven Halifax branches will deny thousands of customers access to vital services and cash, and could lead to 178 job losses.

Vim Maru, retail director for Lloyds Banking Group, said: “Like many other businesses, we’ve seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years, and this decline is continuing.

“Our branches remain a fundamental part of how we serve our customers but we need to ensure the size of our branch network reflects the number of customers wanting to use them.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The announcement by Lloyds Banking Group of closing a further 48 bank branches is a complete betrayal of the communities and staff who have long supported this highly profitable business.

“This sector needs to start taking their corporate social responsibilities seriously and stop neglecting their obligations to their customers and workforce.

“Banks are leaving people behind in the rush to close bank branches and force consumers to go cashless to boost their mega-profits. It’s a classic example of putting profits before people.”

Unite said it believes the banking industry should have a legal commitment to protect access to cash and bank branches.

The announcement will cut the number of Lloyds Banking Group branches to 1,475, the union added.

Lloyds has not made any compulsory redundancies as a result of a branch closures, aiming to make voluntary redundancies or offer alternate roles.

Federation of Small Businesses chairman Mike Cherry said: “Cash remains a critical part of the payments mix, and is especially important to those with disabilities, those on tight budgets and those in areas with poor broadband connectivity.

“It also serves as a competitor to the handful of card companies which are hiking the fees that are ultimately paid by small businesses, as well as a back-up for when card systems fail.

“As our bank branch and ATM network continues its rapid decline, the ability to freely access and securely deposit is becoming more and more restricted. Fees for access often fall on those who can least afford them, hurting individual wellbeing and communities as a whole.

“The Government promised access to cash legislation 18 months ago. It’s time for it to deliver.”

The branches announced for closure are:

Brand Branch name Closing date

Lloyds Amesbury 28/02/2022

Lloyds Atherton 02/03/2022

Lloyds Attleborough 16/03/2022

Lloyds Balham 22/02/2022

Lloyds Berkhamsted 09/03/2022

Lloyds Birmingham Cotteridge 02/03/2022

Lloyds Birmingham Springfield 16/02/2022

Halifax Bristol Whiteladies 01/02/2022

Lloyds Brockworth 07/03/2022

Lloyds Cambridge Cattle Market 24/02/2022

Halifax Christchurch 01/02/2022

Lloyds Coleford 15/03/2022

Halifax Consett 03/03/2022

Lloyds Crewkerne 07/03/2022

Lloyds Darwen 08/02/2022

Lloyds Dorking 17/03/2022

Lloyds Earlestown 10/03/2022

Halifax East Grinstead 14/03/2022

Lloyds Garston 03/02/2022

Lloyds Great Bridge 17/02/2022

Lloyds Harpenden 23/02/2022

Lloyds Hatfield 01/03/2022

Lloyds Hull Holderness Rd 10/02/2022

Lloyds Kings Cross 03/02/2022

Lloyds Kirkby-in-Ashfield 07/02/2022

Lloyds Leagrave 15/02/2022

Lloyds Leatherhead 15/03/2022

Lloyds Maldon 15/02/2022

Lloyds Melksham 15/02/2022

Lloyds Muswell Hill 31/01/2022

Lloyds New Malden 14/02/2022

Lloyds Oxted 07/03/2022

Lloyds Penarth 09/02/2022

Lloyds Ponteland 08/02/2022

Halifax Portsmouth North End 22/02/2022

Lloyds Portsmouth North End 21/02/2022

Lloyds Prescot 28/02/2022

Lloyds Runcorn 01/03/2022

Lloyds Seaford 17/03/2022

Halifax Sevenoaks 24/02/2022

Lloyds South Kensington 31/01/2022

Lloyds Southampton Hythe 07/02/2022

Lloyds St Marys Isle of Scilly 25/04/2022

Lloyds Sydenham 21/02/2022 Halifax Tewkesbury 02/02/2022

Lloyds Tutbury 14/03/2022

Lloyds Windsor 08/03/2022

Lloyds Worthing George V Ave 02/02/2022