Another banking branch in Bucks is set to close its doors later this year.

Lloyds Bank has announced that its branch on Penn Road in Hazlemere will close on September 21, 2023.

The closure follows an in-depth review into customer usage, availability of alternative ways to bank and the current services on offer in the branch. 

In a closure review, Lloyds said: "The world is becoming more digital than ever before and most of our customers are doing their banking online.

"With more customers choosing to use digital ways to bank and manage their money, visits at this branch have fallen. As a result, we've made the difficult decision to close it."

Statistics provided by the bank revealed a 73% fall in the amount of personal customers making transactions at the branch between 2018 and 2023.

They also showed that the largest percentage of the branch's customer base were aged between 55 and 74, accounting for 35% of business.

Alan Cecil, who worked at several Lloyds branches over his 40-year career, described the closure of his local bank as "a sad day".

Adding: "It's a great shame if the hardworking and loyal staff end up losing their jobs but, simply put, not enough of us need a bank branch these days.

"Like in many other places, including supermarkets, customer service has given way to self-service at the checkout and now banking customers are left to 'do it themselves' via internet banking or through a mobile app.

"That happens to suit me but I do feel for those who find such modern ways difficult to handle."

The closure of Lloyds Bank in Hazlemere is just one in a series of UK-wide closures, with 52 other Lloyds branches also ceasing operation between September 2023 and May 2024. 

It comes amid a mass exodus of banks, including HSBC, Natwest and Barclays, from UK towns and cities as online banking becomes more popular among customers.

The closest alternative branches to the Lloyds in Hazlemere can be found in White Hart Street in High Wycombe and Chesham High Street.

Residents affected by the upcoming closure can also find in-person banking services at their local Post Office.