Lloyds Bank has announced that it will be closing its Llandrindod Wells branch next year.

Following an in-depth review from the bank, the Middleton Street branch will close its doors on January 16 2023.

The announcement was made last Wednesday (July 20), and comes as part of widespread closures across Wales, England and Northern Ireland. Lloyds Banking Group will close 48 Lloyds Bank branches and 18 Halifax outlets between October 2022 and February 2023.

The announcement was the fourth of its kind from Lloyds Banking Group in recent months.

Reacting to the news, Llandrindod South councillor Pete Roberts wrote on social media: “Another kick in the teeth for the town by a bank, made worse by announcing it in the middle of the Royal Welsh show.

“This makes the work that the town council led and Jake [Berriman] and I supported on future banking options for the town all the more vital.”

MP for Brecon and Radnorshire Fay Jones said that a community banker would be located in town to help with customers following the closure:

“I am disappointed to learn that Lloyds have announced they will be closing their branch in Llandrindod Wells in January 2023, especially after the loss of Barclays.

“Over counter facilities are vital for rural communities, and I have spoken with Lloyds to ensure that customer support remains. Day-to-day banking services will be accessible at Post Office branches and Lloyds have confirmed that a community banker will be located within the town to assist customers following the closure.”

Lloyds Bank said that 126 customers used the Llandrindod Wells branch regularly in 12 months to March 2022, and that many Llandod customers are already banking in other ways. They found that 72 per cent of customers using the branch had also used other Lloyds branches, Internet Banking or PhoneBank.

The Llandrindod Wells branch currently serves the community with a counter service and a cash machine outside the branch.

Following the closure of the branch next year, the nearest Lloyds Bank branches will be in Presteigne, Newtown and Brecon.