A FLAGSHIP branch of Lloyds Bank in the region has closed its doors to customers as contractors have been pictured this week working on the site.

The branch in Durham City has been temporarily closed since Friday, March 12, following what has been described as "improvement" works.

Lloyds Bank has confirmed that the bank, which is the Market Place, is set to reopen at 9.30am on Tuesday, April 27. 

A statement advised customers to visit their nearest bank at Cheapside in Spennymoor if they require banking services while the Durham branch remains shut.

The statement from the bank added: "We look forward to sharing our new look with you soon."

The refurbishment work comes just over a year after Lloyds Banking Group confirmed plans to shut 31 Lloyds Bank, 10 Halifax and 15 Bank of Scotland branches.

At the time, the company said the closures are part of a store reduction programme in response to changing customer behaviour and the move towards online banking.

A Lloyds Banking Group spokeswoman said: “We are committed to having the largest branch network in the UK and, in addition to our branches, all our customers can also use the Post Office to access their banking locally, alongside our mobile branches which visit many rural communities.

“We have confirmed that a number of branches will close between April and October this year.

“This is in response to changing customer behaviours and the reduced number of transactions being made in branches.”