News that Lloyds is to pull out of a Suffolk town has led to its MP demanding a meeting with bank bosses.

Lloyds Banking Group has announced it will be closing its Beccles branch next year, alongside other branches in Fakenham and Thetford.

MP Jess Asato has called for a meeting with the banking giant's bosses and people in the town have expressed their disappointment over the planned closure.

Paul Cunningham, town clerk for Beccles Town Council, said: “It’s a significant disappointment.

“But it is not unexpected with the trends of banks closing over the last 18 months.

“It would be naïve to think Beccles would be exempt.”

Lloyds Bank is located in Exchange Square, BecclesLloyds Bank is located in Exchange Square, Beccles (Image: Google Maps) READ MORE: Lloyds bank to close branch in Beccles town centre

He added: “I am looking to have a conversation with Jess Asato, MP, and Beccles mayor, Colin Hill, to explore getting a banking hub in Beccles to take the pressure off the post office counter”.

Ms Asato, Lowestoft MP, said: “I'm very concerned to hear that Lloyds bank branch is closing in Beccles, particularly as many local residents rely on in-person services.

MP Jess AsatoMP Jess Asato (Image: Jess Asato)

"I've requested an urgent meeting with Lloyds this week to understand the reasoning behind this decision and seek justification.

"Labour has pledged 350 new banking hubs, and I will be pushing for Beccles to be considered as the government rolls out its plans.”

Lee Mason, owner of Beccles Books, said he is “not very happy at all” about the news.

He said: “The post office is always so busy. Imagine it at Christmas time”.

“I know people who do everything in cash and now they have been left abandoned.”

Beccles Books is located a couple of doors down in Exchange SquareBeccles Books is located a couple of doors down from the branch in Exchange Square (Image: Lee Mason, Beccles Books) READ MORE: Former Lollipops in Beccles to be replaced by new bar

Lloyds Banking Group will be closing 55 branches nationwide as more people are moving to online banking.

The Beccles branch is expected to close down on May 6, 2025. 

A spokesman for Lloyds said: "Most customers are now using our mobile banking app, internet banking or calling us instead. This means they are using branches, including our Beccles branch much less."

Both Barclays and HSBC in Beccles closed their doors last year.