Lloyds Bank Closure protest – 10:30am, Saturday 29th November
A protest will be held at 10:30am on Saturday 29th November in Market Place, Penzance by a group campaigning against Lloyds Bank’s plans to shut the town’s branch early next year.
If the closure goes ahead in January 2026, the nearest branch for West Cornwall residents will be in Truro, almost 40 miles away for some. Since Lloyds’ announcement, a new campaign group formed of Penzance residents and businesses has been formed to ask bank bosses to think again.
A petition against the planned closure – launched earlier this month – has already gathered over 1,500 signatures, and will be presented both to Lloyds Bank bosses, and to Parliament in December. The petition can be found in shops in Penzance town centre, including:
- Alfred Smith & Son, Clarence Street
- Lavender’s, Greenmarket
- One and All Aid, Greenmarket
- Circa 21, Market Jew Street
- Oriental Care, Market Jew Street
- Archie Browns, Bread Street
The online petition is also online, here.
Local Liberal Democrat MP, Andrew George, said: ‘Saturday’s protest will give the community a clear, visible way to show what this loss would mean for West Cornwall – and to stand together to demand accessible, local banking for all. Just a few years ago, Lloyds Bank had 39 branches in Cornwall. If their planned closures go ahead, only one will remain.
‘Lloyds’ decision to withdraw from Cornwall is wrongheaded and Penzance is standing up against this. We’ll fight them all the way. There’s been no consultation. They’ve undertaken no impact assessment. They’re unconcerned about the damage this will inflict on our town, the problems faced by the vulnerable, elderly and those not digitally enabled.’
A letter (attached) – signed by MPs from 5 different parties representing constituencies where Lloyds Bank branches are set to close in 2026 – was sent this week to Charlie Nunn, CEO of the Lloyds Banking Group.
Event details:
Location: Market Place, Penzance
Date: Saturday 29th November
Time: 10:30am