PERSHORE’S Conservative candidate Harriett Baldwin has called for further reassurance from TSB to ring-fence its local branch network following a series of national closure announcements.
The bank will close down its Pershore branch but the Tenbury branch remains a strong performing business and will remain fully open as part of the changes. Malvern’s branch will have reduced opening hours with plans being developed to close at lunchtimes.
Mrs Baldwin has been in close contact with the bank after it reduced opening hours in Pershore and recently met with the local management team in Malvern to discuss its business.
“I wrote to the TSB chief executive following the decision to reduce opening hours in Pershore and I am afraid that this decision has now led to the branch closure plan,” she said.
“I have now been briefed on plans to help the bank’s customers and I hope that local people will not be seriously impacted by this closure.
“I have also sought reassurances on the operation of Malvern and Tenbury and I am hopeful that no further cuts will be made. I was particularly keen to ensure that TSB stays open in Tenbury as it is the last bank in the town.
“Almost all of us now bank in very different ways than we did 20 years ago but there are some people who rely on the physical bank to manage their money.
“I have urged TSB to work closely with the local community to ensure that Pershore people aren’t badly affected by this closure,” Mrs Baldwin added.
Mrs Baldwin will contest the seat on Thursday (December 12) alongside Labour’s Samantha Charles, Liberal Democrat Beverly Nielsen and Martin Allen of the Green Party.
