Update on future of major bank branches in Blackpool and Cleveleys amidst national closures
“More than 25% of people still regularly rely on face-to-face banking services”
A major bank which is one of the few to have Fylde coast branches still left open has announced a raft of closures across the UK.
Although Halifax has NOT included the branches at Blackpool (Church Street) and Cleveleys (Victoria Road West) in the list of confirmed closures in May and June this year, there is concern over their future.
The bank group, which blamed the decision to shut the branches on customers shifting away from banking in person to using mobile services, has designated 46 of its 341 branches across England for permanent closure throughout 2026 and 2027.
The closure announcement is causing concern to those, including many older people, who do not use internet banking and still rely on an ‘over the counter’ service.
Halifax bank is owned by Lloyds Banking Group and operates as a trading division of Bank of Scotland plc, which was acquired by Lloyds during the 2009 financial crisis
Despite the widespread closures of branches by other banking organisations in recent years, Halifax has kept branches open longer than any of its counterparts.
The branch at Poulton Street in Fleetwood was the last one standing in the town before it too closed last year, on June 25,, while the St Annes branch closed its doors earlier on June 12 and was similarly the town’s last remaining bank outlet.
The closures was seen as the"end of an era" and turned both town into a "banking desert".
Customers at Fleetwood were reassured that they could still visit the branch in Cleveleys, approximately three miles away, or the branch in Blackpool, some eight miles away from Fleetwood. The Blackpool branch is just over five miles from St Annes but accessible through direct public transport links with both towns..
However, a the shadow of closure is now hanging the last surviving branches too.
Where else can customers go?
Fleetwood, Poulton and St Annes areall now served by banking hubs, shared physical spaces on the high street that allows customers from multiple major banks to perform everyday financial transactions in one location. They are designed to maintain face-to-face banking services and cash access in communities where traditional local bank branches have closed.
Fleetwood’s is at 165 Lord Street, the St Annes branch is at the Drive Methodist Church hall on Clifton Drive North and Poulton’s is based at the Teanlowe Centre. There is currently no banking hub at Cleveleys, the neaerst one being in Fleetwood.
The post Office plays a key role in providing these ‘over the counter’ services while LINK the country’s primary cash access and ATM network, subsidises or commissions the banking hubs where physical branches have closed, protecting vital community banking
What they say
Lorraine Beavers, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, has met with local Post Office officials to discuss the vital services they provide to Fylde coast communities.
She said: “Over recent years, we have seen the number of bank branches halve and while many people now use digital and online services, more than 25% of people still regularly rely on face-to-face banking services.
“In 2025, the Post Office handled 162 million cash-based banking transactions, almost £4 billion per month,” she added. “These are vital services, relied upon by vulnerable people, small and medium businesses, and rural or deprived communities.
“Between Banking Hubs and the Post Office, we could ensure access to face-to-face banking services for many people and businesses which remain sustainable in the long-term and I will continue to push for that.”