Lloyds to shutter over 20 UK branches as B&Q closes Leicestershire store

Lloyds Banking Group announced the termination of more than 20 bank branches in England and Wales during October, citing evolving customer banking preferences. The closures include sites in Rochdale, Barnsley, Birmingham, Bristol and Nottingham among others, with a spokesperson emphasizing the need to assess customer impact. In parallel, home-improvement chain B&Q revealed its Wigston, Leicestershire outlet will cease trading at 4 pm on Saturday after the landlord declined to renew the lease, and the company is supporting affected employees while seeking alternative premises.

Retailer TG Jones, formerly WHSmith, has already shuttered 19 stores in September and, after a restructuring approved in July by Modella Capital, could see up to 150 stores closed. These moves add to a broader trend of high-street retailers such as Russell & Bromley, LK Bennett and Claire’s reducing their physical footprints amid rising vacancy rates.