That is the new norm here from now on Michael.
I reckon you are right. When we moved up here - 2003 - the nearest Lloyds back was in the next village, just 2 miles away. Then the EU push for 'increasing banking competition?' meant that it became a branch of TSB and our nearest Lloyds is now in Carlisle (I think - certainly the Lloyds website says no branches in Scotland) which is 173 miles away or a 7 hour, 346 mile round trip to 'pop into your nearest branch' which I still get advised to do from time to time.
That's not all, though. When the branch first became TSB it was, like its Lloyd's persona, open 5 days a week, 9:30 - 16:30 except Wednesdays when it was 10:00 - 16:30. Then they decided to close for lunch 12:30 - 13:30. Then about three years or a bit more ago, it was closed on Wednesdays. Now, from the end of next month it will only be open on Thursdays - 10:00 - 16:30, closed for lunch 12:30-13:30.
This is supposed to be a 'service' - actually more like a double fault!
I could close the Lloyd's account and transfer everything to TSB (!) but I have numerous DDs and SOs on Lloyds which is where my pensions are paid into, so it's just too much hassle - but thank heavem for on-line baking!
Mike