MP joins call for Lloyds to restore cheque deposits at banking hubs

Lloyds is the only major British bank that does not allow its customers to deposit cheques at the hubs.

And Conservative MP Victoria Atkins says this is unfair to those who still rely on cheques, especially older residents, disabled people, small businesses, charities and community groups.

She says the issue is affecting Lloyds customers who use the banking hub in Horncastle and Post Office branches in Louth and Horncastle.

The MP has now signed a letter, backed by most of the major political parties, asking Lloyds to review the decision so that the elderly, vulnerable and digitally excluded are not left behind.

The letter has been co-ordinated by fellow Conservative MP, Graham Stuart, and has been signed by 120 MPs from across the House Of Commons.

Signatories include Mel Stride, the Shadow Chancellor, Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrats’ Treasury spokesperson, Adrian Ramsay, Green MP and former Green Party co-leader, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, senior Labour backbencher Graham Stringer, Dave Doogan MP, for the Scottish National Party (SNP), and Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Plaid Cymru.

The plea follows the closure of Lloyds’ branch in Louth last year, and the announcement, made earlier this year, that its branch on High Street, Horncastle is to shut in August.

With branches disappearing all over the country as more and more people switch to digital banking, Ms Atkins says banking hubs are making a big difference.

She said: “Banking hubs have been a real success, and the one in Horncastle is helping to keep face-to-face banking alive for people in Louth and Horncastle.

“But we need to make sure everyone can still access the full range of basic banking services.

“It is a matter of fairness. People should not be forced to struggle with an app, send cheques through the post or travel miles when other major banks still allow cheque deposits through post offices and banking hubs.

“That is why I have signed this cross-party letter calling on Lloyds to look again and restore cheque deposit services.”

The cross-party letter says: “Banking hubs have made a real difference to communities across the UK. Constituents who lost access to face-to-face banking following branch closures have welcomed them, and we recognise the role Lloyds has played in supporting their development.

“However, Lloyds is the only major British bank that does not allow its customers to deposit cheques at post offices or banking hubs, and our constituents are struggling as a result.”

“Cheques are declining, but they have not disappeared. Data shows that 44 per cent of current account holders still use cheques, and Age UK has told Parliament that around half of people aged 65 and over use cheques regularly.

“In the last quarter of 2025 alone, 19.6 million cheques worth £26.8 billion were processed.”

The MPs also warn that alternatives such as freepost and banking apps do not work for everyone. Some customers cannot use digital banking, while others need the reassurance of handing a cheque over in person and knowing it has been logged and secured.