The CLOSURE of Pershore’s last bank branch has been labelled “appalling”.

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, has shared her thoughts following the announcement that Lloyds on Broad Street is set to close.

The decision comes as the firm continues moving towards digital banking.

Mrs Baldwin said: "I am appalled but not surprised to hear the Lloyds and Halifax bank branch network is being further reduced in my constituency.

"Lloyds has been withdrawing from the high street for some time and my concern remains with those elderly and vulnerable customers who rely on a physical branch to do their banking.

"As chair of the Treasury Select Committee I have spoken out about how banks are not behaving at their best for their customers. I will be closely scrutinising this plan for a local banking hub and urge customers who are worried about accessing their bank to get in touch."

The Pershore Lloyds branch is scheduled to close on February 20, 2024.

LINK, in charge of the UK’s network of ATMS, has suggested a Banking Hub is set up in its place.

If the Banking Hub is not up and running by February 20, the branch will be kept open for up until the end of May 2024.

Banking Hubs have a traditional banking counter, run by the Post Office, where customers of main UK banks can deposit and withdraw cash, pay-in cheques and check balances.

Community Bankers from the UK’s largest banks also visit the Banking Hubs, providing help with more specialised services.

A Lloyds spokesperson said: “As many customers now choose to bank online or through their mobile app, visits to our Pershore branch have fallen over recent years. 

“The local Post Office offers everyday banking, with cash also available at close by free-to-use ATMs, alongside other ways to bank such as online, phone and mobile banking services, plus the new Banking Hub when it is up and running.”

According to Lloyds 78 per cent of our Pershore customers already use other ways of banking, such as over the phone or internet banking, as well as other branches.

Branch transactions at the Pershore branch fell more than 57 per cent between 2017 and 2022.