PERSHORE’S MP Harriett Baldwin has offered her support to the team delivering a new banking hub in the town when Lloyds closes its branch next year.
A plan is being developed to open a dedicated banking hub to allow customers to access banking services for each of the major high street banks, replacing the final bank which will cease trading in Pershore at the end of May.
Mrs Baldwin is working closely with Lloyds Bank and Link – which runs the national cashpoint network and now has the responsibility to support communities which have been left without any high street bank.
The West Worcestershire MP has sought to reassure Pershore’s residents there is a formal commitment to protect the town’s banking services and cashpoint network.
Regulators at the Financial Conduct Authority confirmed last month to confirm it had contacted Lloyds Bank specifically about their Pershore plans to make sure the company follows the guidelines as it plans the closure, including taking into account local people’s views and ensuring that vulnerable customers are protected.
Mrs Baldwin said: “I have had meetings with the senior team at Link who will ensure that local people continue to be able to access banking services in the town.
“I have offered my support as a venue is identified to host the new hub and I am seeking reassurances that Lloyds will continue to operate as normal until it closes its branch in May.
“It is now essential that the hub plans are progressed at pace to ensure there is no gap at all in provision for Pershore, and I have asked for an update from the team responsible for delivering the new hub.
“Having discussed this matter recently with Wychavon District Council, everyone is pulling out all of the stops to get a solution in place as quickly as possible.”
