Dismayed residents have lamented the loss of Kent’s latest bank as customers turn to online methods.

Lloyds Bank in Herne Bay High Street shut its doors on Wednesday (May 21), prompting an outpouring from disheartened customers.

Numerous banks have shut in the county and further afield in the past few years, with more closures, including Lloyds and Halifax, scheduled for the future.

In less than 24 hours, many people came out to air their disappointment after the Herne Bay branch closed, a fixture in the town centre for years.

“Another one bites the dust,” Susan Pollard said.

“What a sad day for Herne Bay, another bank closed,” Rae Jackson added.

Barbara Whitehead branded the closure “so sad” and said she felt as though "our high street has died”.

Joining the dozens of messages on social media site Facebook, Christine Hawkins added: “Sad. I used to work there many years ago.”

“Use cash or it will be card only in the future,” Susan Sperring commented.

John McMinn said: “Cashless society coming, out with the old in with the new.”

The closure in Herne Bay is yet another casualty of bank branches universally going as increasing numbers of customers bank online.

Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) announced the shutdown of Herne Bay and other branches in January as it speeds up its plans to cut costs and turn services digital.

It said that all workers at the affected branches would be offered jobs elsewhere in the company.

An LBG spokesperson said: “As many customers now choose to bank through their app or online, visits to our Herne Bay branch fell over recent years.

“The local Post Office offers everyday banking, with cash also available at close by free-to-use ATMs.

“Customers can also manage their money through our app, online, by calling us or speaking to a community banker.”

The company says 79% of its Herne Bay customers already used other ways of banking, such as mobile, the internet or phone banking, as well as other branches.

A spokesperson added: “We will have a community banker visit the area, who will continue to offer face to face targeted support for as long as the community needs it.

“The community banker will be available from May 27, at Beach Creative in Beach Street, on Tuesdays each fortnight.”

In January LBG announced that 61 Halifax, 61 Lloyds and 14 Bank of Scotland sites would shut between this month and next March.

Halifax in Folkestone is scheduled to close on October 9, while the Sittingbourne branch will go on October 15.

Following the Whitstable branch’s departure two years ago, there are now just 12 Lloyds banks in the county of Kent and in Medway, with the nearest to Herne Bay being in Canterbury.