News: Lloyds bank to return to Rotherham town centre as Halifax name set to disappear

Less than a month after announcing plans to close another branch in Rotherham as part of plans to close 79 branches across the country, Lloyds Banking Group announced plans that will see the Lloyds name return to the town centre.

Rothbiz reported last month that the Rotherham town centre branch of Lloyds is closing on October 15 2026.

The last closure was the Wickersley branch in 2023 with the group saying that most customers are now using the app, online services or phone banking.

An announcement last month said that Lloyds would become the group’s lead brand in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as the Halifax brand changes to Lloyds.

The rebrand will mean that the Halifax branch at Howard Street, the last branch in the whole Rotherham borough, will become Lloyds.

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Halifax and Bank of Scotland have been part of Lloyds Banking Group since 2009. Since early 2025, customers of all brands have been able to manage their accounts across all Lloyds Banking Group branches and customers can already manage all their accounts in a single app or phone call.

There are no immediate changes for customers, and everything will continue to work as it does today.

Existing Halifax customers will start to use the Lloyds app in the coming months and will see their accounts rebranded to Lloyds over time. As part of this change, the Halifax brand will stop opening new accounts.

Jas Singh, CEO, Consumer Relationships, at Lloyds Banking Group, said: "As Halifax changes to Lloyds, our Halifax customers will keep everything they know and love today – the same fantastic app design, the same friendly faces in our branches – even the same sort code and account number. But as Lloyds customers, they’ll get the best innovation and experiences we offer. Our Lloyds customers are already benefiting from a significant investment into propositions like Club Lloyds, Lloyds Premier, Lloyds Ultra and Lloyds Rewards – and now we’re really excited that Halifax customers can bank on Lloyds for more."

The rebrand is expected to take place in 2027.

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News: Lloyds to close another Rotherham branch

Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed plans to close another branch in Rotherham as part of plans to close 79 branches across the country.

The bank says that most customers are now using the app, online services or phone banking.

The Rotherham town centre branch is closing on October 15 2026.

The last closure was the Wickersley branch in 2023.

Lloyds has carried out an assessment of the location on Wellgate which says that just 610 customers were regular monthly branch users - those who transacted at the counter or Immediate Deposit Machine (IDM) four months out of six months ending February 2026.

The Closing Branch Review said that 75% of customers to the Rotherham branch also used other Lloyds branches, and online banking or phone banking – in the six month period ending February 2026.

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Following the closure, Lloyds customers needing to use a branch can visit any Halifax or Bank of Scotland branch to do things like pay in cash and cheques, take out or transfer money and pay bills. Rotherham town centre still has a Halifax on Howard Street.

Customers can also use the nearby Post Office for everyday banking.

The nearest Lloyds branch is in Sheffield city centre.

The bank says: "We regularly review how our customers choose to bank with us. And, with most now using our app, online services or phone banking, we're closing our Rotherham branch.

"Lloyds is proud to be part of the same family as Halifax and Bank of Scotland. We’re introducing more ways you can manage any personal accounts you have with Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland in one place, using co-servicing. Whether that’s online through the apps and online banking, or with a colleague over the phone, or in a branch."

The freehold of the property at 9 Wellgate sold for £225,000 in 2024. The substantial three storey building totals 5,402 sq ft and was sold with the possibility of future development potential.

Lloyds Bank Plc have been in occupation since 1996.

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News: Lloyds to close Rotherham branch

Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed plans to close its branch in a Rotherham village as part of plans to close 40 branches under the Lloyds and Halifax names.

The bank said that the Wickersley branch will close on May 15 2023.

A review of the Bawtry Road branch showed that 142 customers used it regularly in the 12 months to July 2022.

Customers are already banking in other ways with 75% of customers using the Wickersley branch in the review also using other Lloyds Bank branches, internet banking or PhoneBank (Lloyds Bank telephone banking service).

A spokesperson for Lloyds said: "Like many other high street businesses, we’ve seen people using our branches less frequently in recent years as more customers choose to do most of their everyday banking online. We’re responding to the way our customers use our branches. We’ll continue to invest in our branch network, but we have to make sure our branches are where customers need and use them most. As a result, we've made the difficult decision to close this branch because customers are using it less often. In addition the majority of customers are also using alternative ways to bank.

"You can use any of our branches and our nearest alternative is the Rotherham branch. You can also use a Post Office for your everyday banking. We’re still here to support you, and there’s a number of ways you can bank with us."

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Alexander Stafford, MP for Rother Valley, said: "This is a bitter blow to Rother Valley, and residents will know that I have raised the issue of access to cash before now. For many vulnerable and/or elderly residents and businesses alike, access to cash is essential and I am very concerned that we are to lose the Wickersley branch.

"I appreciate that people are increasingly switching to online banking - whether this is because they have been forced to due to bank closures or through choice, is a separate debate. However, I believe banks play a key role in high streets and should do more to support local retail and hospitality businesses.

"I will be meeting representatives of Lloyds in due course to discuss the rationale for this appalling decision and to get some clarity on what they will be doing to support customers who will be hardest hit by this closure.

"On the wider issue, I would like to see shared banking hubs, which are being piloted currently, rolled out eventually across the high streets of Rother Valley. I will be reaching out to banks to learn more about the current pilots."

Lloyds branches nearby include those on Wellgate in Rotherham town centre, in Mexborough, Doncaster and in Woodhouse in Sheffield.

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News: Bank provides a reel boost for Rotherham hose manufacturer

A specialist Rotherham manufacturer is on track to double turnover within five years with a six-figure cash injection helping to turbocharge organic growth.

Based in Wath, Wath Group is a designer and manufacturer of jet wash hoses, control equipment and cabling, and trace heating solutions. Founded in 1980, the family business has evolved from supplying primarily to the mining industry, to supporting a broad range of sectors including automotive, renewable energy, consumer electronics and pharmaceuticals.

Through its specialist safety and security brand, SecurEx, it also provides products for use in hazardous and explosive environments. And, it recently partnered with Hogen Systems to develop a pioneering Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) that produces clean drinking water from the atmosphere.

A key local employer, it currently employs 40 staff at its HQ. Over the past few years, turnover has grown steadily from £2.6m in 2017, to £5m in 2021. And now, with the support of a £308,700 hire purchase facility from Lloyds Bank, Wath Group is investing in two new HAAS Machining Centres – highly-specialist automated cutting tools – and is on track to double turnover to £10m within five years.

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Matt Bedford, director at Wath Group, said: “Over the last 40 years, Wath Group has transformed from a small supplier to a major producer. We pride ourselves on our adaptability, working to tailor and expand our offering to meet market demand and support a growing range of sectors – and this investment is the latest step in our expansion strategy.

“With the Bank’s support, we can continue to grow organically by bringing in new, state-of-the-art equipment and machinery to boost production across all of our core product ranges, as well as find new opportunities to innovate and partner with other organisations on ground-breaking projects.”

Ben Cutts, relationship director at Lloyds Bank, added: “Wath Group’s track record speaks for itself – it is a team that has never shied away from new avenues to growth, helping them remain a key player in a market that is constantly evolving.

“As their partners for over two decades now, we are excited to remain by their side in this next phase of expansion.”

The transaction was led by Ben Cutts and Lee Mcallister, regional manager at Lloyds Bank.

Wath Group website

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News: More businesses back Rotherham Hospice

Sheffield Lloyd's Bank Business Unit staff are staging Shop Wars, a fundraising event challenging five other Lloyd's teams from around the country to make the most money in a day at six Rotherham Hospice charity shops.

The only adult hospice in Rotherham for the people of Rotherham, Rotherham Hospice is an independent charity and must raise significant sums of money each year in order to pay for the quality care provided free of charge to patients, their families and carers. The charity needs around £5m a year with £2.6m needed to be raised each year through voluntary support.

Kyle Holling is customer excellence manager at the Secured Lending Team in Sheffield - and the man in charge of this fundraiser. He said: "Frankly, it could be a bit of a bun fight when the teams have just one day- Tuesday June 20 from 9am- to battle it out to be the best across six of the Hospice stores.

"My colleagues tell me they will be organising bake sales, encouraging customers to snap up bargains from the rails and racks and buy lottery tickets. And it won't be easy - they are bringing a variety of skills and expertise, but many have never had direct retail experience before. Working in our business units rather than branches, they are more used to remediation and risk control! And although this is an annual initiative, it is the first time teams from all over the country have got together."

Hospice staff will be there to add their support and Hospice volunteers will be popping in to welcome up to four members of Lloyd's staff Scotland to Solihull and Halifax to Wolverhampton, who will be coming with enthusiasm, ideas and fundraising plans.

Sharon Thompson, corporate fundraiser at Rotherham Hospice, said: "We really value support from businesses like Lloyds taking us on as their chosen charity, and hope their enthusiastic teams will dramatically increase takings from each of our charity shops during Shop Wars, a fun light-hearted event that brings out their competitive fundraising streak. The Hospice has ten shops now including our Dinnington boutique and Wath and Maltby furniture stores, and they make a huge contribution to the £2.6m we need to raise each year to offer an outstanding level of care to our patients."

Kyle (pictured above, second left) concluded: "What I am most looking forward to is being face to face with Hospice customers and helping the charity out. I have already been involved in the Colour Dash and I'm sure this will be just as much fun. We are proud to be part of Lloyd's Helping Britain Prosper Plan, a public commitment that our colleagues will deliver over 2.3m hours of volunteering by 2020."

Later this month The Fish King at Listerdale Shopping Centre in Rotherham will be frying up all day to raise money for the charity.

On Wednesday June 28, generous boss Das Loucas will be serving a special fish and chips supper at the bargain price of £4.50. And by the time the popular takeaway venue closes at 9.30pm, he hopes to have sold hundreds.

The profits from every fish and chips supper, plus a choice of four fundraising kebabs, could tot up to £2,000.

Das (pictured) said: "No codding, every penny of profit will go the the hospice. We are urging as many customers as possible to come on the day. The more takeaways we sell, the more money the hospice gets. The chips are down, the challenge is on!"

Staff at the chippy will also be giving their wages to the hospice on the day - Mario Loucas, Susan, Stacey and Zoe Machin, Julia Gratton, Shirley Gillot and Chris Harrison.

Customers with a sweet tooth can also indulge for charity - Julia is setting up a cake stall outside.

Sharon Thompson has pledged to be first in the lunchtime queue. She said: “Everybody loves fish and chips. It's my favourite meal. What better excuse to go and indulge than knowing you’re supporting the hospice?"

Rotherham Hospice website

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News: Funding boost for ZND

Rotherham-based ZND UK, the market leader in the manufacture and supply of high quality temporary fencing, has doubled its production capacity after securing an asset finance facility worth £3.2m from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

Established in 1997, the firm manufactures temporary fencing, hoarding and pedestrian barriers for the events and construction industry.

Securing financial backing from Barclays in 2014 enabled ZND to purchase its 170,000 sq ft Rotherham facility at Barbot Hall that manufactures more than 17,500 meters of temporary fencing per day.

Over the last few years continued investment and improvements have been made in machinery to produce a fully automated production line. ZND has invested in a fence line machine using asset finance funding from Lloyds Bank's Global Transaction Banking team, in response to increased customer demand.

As well as doubling the output capacity, the machine can also produce panels to European specifications. ZND UK currently exports 30% of its outputs to the continent but since having the machine installed, is aiming to increase exports by 50% by the end of the year.

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James McLean, managing director at ZND UK, said: "Growth in the construction sector has resulted in a surge in demand for our products.

"Lloyds Bank was able to identify and provide a funding solution which significantly increased our export capacity, capitalising on growing demand from overseas for products that comply with EU regulations."

Ian Banks, relationship director at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, added: "ZND UK is a leading UK manufacturer, so we were pleased to support the purchase which has helped the business unlock the next stage in its growth strategy.

"This funding method is ideal for businesses looking to invest in substantial machinery equipment without paying a lump sum. Instead, that money could be better invested elsewhere to help support day-to-day expansion or positive growth opportunities."

Lorries packed high with fencing are common sight on Rotherham's roads and high profile contracts for ZND include new cycle barriers used at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014, barriers used at events in London for the 2012 Olympics and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and the 2014 Boston Marathon.

Over 15,000 fences and over 3,000 pedestrian barriers went to Glastonbury and ZND safety barriers were also in use for the Grand Depart of the Tour de France held in Yorkshire in 2014.

The Dutch-owned firm has a turnover of £38m and employs around 100 staff in Rotherham.

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News: Hydro-X expands with Southern HQ

Hydro-X Water Treatment, a Rotherham-based specialist in water and air testing and Legionella risk assessments and control, is expecting to increase turnover by almost £1m over the next 18 months.

With a mobile team of technicians, the Dinnington firm delivers its core products and services to more than 10,000 locations across the UK. It specialises in inspecting and maintaining equipment that uses water such as industrial cooling towers and steam boilers and customers include Sainsbury's, The Disabilities Trust, The Midcounties Co-operative and the Lotus F1 Team.

Having doubled in size over the last four years to generate a turnover of around £5m, Hydro-X Water Treatment is already on course to reach £6m this year. Part of the growth is due to a new Southern HQ at Abbotts Business Park in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire.

Paul Wilson, marketing manager for Hydro-X Water Treatment, said: "We've had a satellite office servicing the southern region for many years, but due to the dramatic growth we've had in the south it made sense to establish a permanent presence here and one with space for our technicians and engineers to operate out of over a wider area."

To help finance the new site, Hydro-X secured funding from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking under the Government-backed Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) loan, having been supported in previous expansions.

Ben Kimball, relationship manager for Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking, said: "The FLS is ideal for businesses like Hydro-X Water Treatment, as under the scheme we are able to offer small business customers across all sectors a one per cent interest rate discount on all new loans and hire purchase facilities."

The Bank of England and HM Treasury launched the Funding for Lending scheme in July 2012 to further encourage business growth through discounted lending.

Wilson added: "The support form Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking has been an immense help in securing the new site, and we look forward to building upon this growth in the coming year, and possibly opening other regional bases in the near future."

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News: LDC commit to engineering and manufacturing sector

Mid-market private equity provider, LDC, has announced that it has increased its new investment funding commitment to specialist engineering and manufacturing businesses to £300m.

Part of the Lloyds Banking Group, the firm provides private equity to support management buy-outs, help business owners sell a percentage and release equity in their business, fund expansion or make acquisitions.

After announcing an initial commitment of £200m to the sector in October 2011, LDC has since completed eleven new investment transactions into manufacturing and specialist engineering businesses, placing total equity funding of more than £190m. Following this success, the private equity firm will now look to invest an additional £100m more than its original target.

The focus is on mid-market UK businesses in the £10m to £150m enterprise value range and, typically those with specialist manufacturing capability in niche sectors such as aerospace and power generation, which have featured strongly in the commitment to date.

Joe Farren, investment director at LDC in Yorkshire and the North East, who is leading the initiative in the region, said: "Our initial investment initiative to back high quality manufacturing and specialist engineering businesses has been incredibly successful, but we believe that there is a great deal more potential to support businesses in this sector so we have decided to uplift this funding in order that more companies can benefit.

"By increasing our commitment to invest £300m of new capital to this important industry sector, LDC is reiterating its commitment to, and on-going confidence in, UK manufacturing.

"This increase in funding will give LDC's regional teams greater scope to explore investment opportunities with fast growing manufacturing and specialist engineering businesses and we hope more management teams will consider the benefits that partnering with a private equity investor like LDC can bring."

One high profile deal saw LDC take a stake in the Rotherham-based F1 team, Virgin Racing. The team was created in 2009 when Dinnington's Manor Grand Prix teamed up with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin brand. In April 2013 LDC sold its minority shareholding in the team to Marussia, the Russian supercar manufacturer that took full control of the team after earlier investment in 2010.

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News: Cepac on acquisition trail

Cepac, a leading UK producer of corrugated and retail-ready packaging based in Rotherham, has confirmed that it has completed two acquisitions and reached an agreement on a third.

Founded in 1999, Cepac has established one of the largest and most technologically advanced corrugated packaging plants in the world in Manvers.

A deal has been finalised for DS Smith's Darlington operation, formerly known as SCA Branded Packaging. It had been pending approval from the European Commission, which was finalised on 19 December 2012.

DS Smith had to dispose of the business as a condition of the European Commission's approval of its £1.4bn acquisition of SCA Group's packaging business.

Cepac has also reached a further agreement with DS Smith to acquire its Specialty Packaging plant in Rawcliffe Bridge, East Yorkshire.

A third deal sees Cepac acquire point of sale display manufacturer, Screenprint Doncaster Limited.

The deals are expected to compliment the existing plant at Brookfields Park and see the company, which is part of the Yemen-based HSA Group, considerably expand its operations to meet increasing demand for high quality packaging across a range of sectors.

Rod Ainslie, managing director at Cepac, said: "Having built up Cepac over 13 years, we have established a strong position in the industry, serving a solid base of FMCG customers. As we welcome our new colleagues and customers, our priority for the immediate future is involvement, communication and clear direction.

"The addition of the former DS Smith operations in conjunction with Screenprint Doncaster will enable us to operate an independent multi-plant network within the UK, satisfying customer demand with a wide and complementary range of market-leading products and enabling us to expand our customer base."

The deal was supported by three Sheffield-based teams. Grant Thornton provided advisory services. Legal advisers were from Irwin Mitchell Solicitors and banking facilities were provided by Lloyds TSB.

Matt Ainsworth of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors said: "Cepac is already a very successful business and these acquisitions give it an even brighter future – this is truly a South Yorkshire deal and it's fantastic that a Sheffield based team of advisers and funders has been able to work together seamlessly to make this happen."

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News: Maplin secure funding for expansion

Rotherham-based electronics retailer, Maplin, has secured a new £20m revolving credit facility from Lloyds Bank to finance their plans to open 100 new stores and create hundreds of jobs.

Manvers-based Maplin sells a range of 15,000 products to tech-savvy hobbyists as well as general consumers.

The company's website attracts over 170,000 visitors every day and they operate a network of over 200 retail outlets throughout the UK and Ireland. They employ 2,500 staff.

As part of the backing from Lloyds, Maplin has now repaid the original acquisition finance that was used to fund the reported £244m secondary management buyout of the business in 2004.

Claire Webb, finance director at Maplin, said: "Earlier this year we announced plans to improve the business by investing in new stores and improving our online capabilities.

"The funding package we have agreed with Lloyds Bank will support these initiatives.

"In particular, we have received very positive feedback from customers regarding their in-store experience.

"By opening 100 new stores over the next three years we are ensuring that more customers can benefit from this service."

David Hunt, relationship director at the Sheffield office of Lloyds Bank Wholesale Banking & Markets, added:: "Maplin has a strong brand identity and a clear strategy of how and where they see their future. It is a good example of a mid-market business that is generating steady growth.

"These businesses are fundamental to the UK's economic recovery and we are committed to working with them to help them achieve their business goals."

Launched by two technology enthusiasts in 1972 who were frustrated by the lack of good quality electronics components, Maplin Electronics became the experts' choice, with a reputation for the best product range and expertise.

Maplin now has a turnover of more than £200m, a world away from the early days in Essex when founders, Roger Allen and Doug Simmons, remained in their full-time jobs for two years, and the company didn't make a profit.

In 2008 they moved to a 220,000 sq ft state of the art distribution centre and head office at Manvers in Rotherham.

Maplin website

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News: MTL Group open Rotherham facility

The award-winning contract manufacturer, MTL Group has opened a new state-of-the-art factory in Rotherham.

The company's relocation from Sheffield to its new 300,000 square foot facility at Brinsworth follows several years of growth that has seen annual turnover rise to £50m.

The move will create over 100 new jobs following £5m funding from Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets in Sheffield and regional grant funding from Yorkshire Forward.

Dr Henry Shirman, Managing Director of MTL Group said: "We are proud of our roots here in Yorkshire and proud of our business. Our reputation for quality & service has underpinned our expansion as we grew from one factory to four factories in different locations. The opening of this state-of-the-art facility means we are all able to work on one site and we have provision for future growth and expansion.

"The Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets team has played a pivotal role in this development. They have supported us for a number of years and worked hard to understand our business and the type of support we need. We have used them extensively for advice throughout this project; the team's local knowledge was definitely an asset."

MTL Group is a fast growing contract manufacturing company that employs 310 people. It works with a global blue-chip customer base in the defence, construction equipment, rail and off-shore wind energy sectors.

The group has invested in the latest technology for the new plant, which boasts the largest laser in the UK and a 640-tonne robotic press, which is the biggest of its kind anywhere in the world.

A key focus for the business will continue to be the supply of specialist metals to various markets including renewable energy. A new high definition bevel plasma cutter and a robotic tube cutter both specially designed to support the growth in orders from the offshore renewable energy sector are being commissioned in March 2011.

Ryan Sorby, Relationship Manager at Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets in Sheffield, said: "Congratulations to MTL Group on the opening of this new facility. It is a credit to them and to Yorkshire as they continue to win business internationally.

"The company is rightly recognised as a leader in the field of contract manufacturing and the management team has been very clear about how they would like the company to develop. We have been able to share that vision and provide specialist support in a number of areas.

"The fact that we are trusted consultants to MTL Group demonstrates the benefits of having a local team who are able to provide expert advice on the ground."

MTL Group website
Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets website

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