Lloyds Banking Group is closing several Lloyds and Halifax bank branches in the North East this year as more customers move to online, app or phone banking. Customers who wish to use in-person banking services are advised to visit banking hubs in their community, where they can pay in and withdraw cash, pay bills or speak to a community banker. Accounts with Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland can be used at any of their branches.
Branches closing in 2026
The closures affect branches in South Tyneside, North Tyneside, County Durham and Gateshead. The Lloyds branch in South Shields at 101 King Street will close on October 12, 2026. The Lloyds branch in Wallsend at Royal Chambers, High Street East will close on November 3, 2026. The Halifax branch in Durham at 1 North Road will close on September 29, 2026. The Halifax branch in Gateshead at Jackson House, 24-26 Jackson Street will close on October 19, 2026.
Halifax brand to disappear
Earlier this month, ChronicleLive reported that the Halifax brand will disappear after 173 years on the high street, with all customer accounts rebranded to Lloyds. Lloyds Banking Group, which has owned Halifax since 2009, said customers do not need to do anything and will be contacted about the changes. Jas Singh, Lloyds Banking Group’s chief executive of consumer relationships, said: “As Halifax changes to Lloyds, our Halifax customers will keep everything they know and love today – the same fantastic app design, the same friendly faces in our branches – even the same sort code and account number. But as Lloyds customers, they’ll get the best innovation and experiences we offer.”
Customers will be invited to move to the Lloyds app and digital banking and will see their accounts rebranded to Lloyds over time. Halifax will stop opening new accounts as part of the phase-out. Halifax branches will either be rebranded to Lloyds or shifted to a nearby Lloyds branch throughout 2027.
History of Halifax
Halifax, which has several branches in the North East, was founded in West Yorkshire in 1853 and granted its first mortgage, later becoming one of the UK’s largest building societies. Its building society status ended in 1997 after listing shares on the London Stock Exchange, before merging with Bank of Scotland and later being acquired by Lloyds Banking Group. Halifax remains one of the UK’s biggest mortgage lenders with millions of customers using its current and savings accounts.
Lloyds said it remains committed to the town of Halifax and the wider Yorkshire and Humber region, having recently invested £116 million in the Trinity Road office where some 3,000 staff are based. The office is set to feature a celebration of the Halifax brand through the years.
