PERSHORE is set to lose its Barclays Bank branch next year.

The Bridge Street branch will close in March, with the bank citing declining customer numbers for shutting the branch.

Pershore MP Harriett Baldwin has criticised Barclays for the decision and has written to the bank's chief executive.

She is urging customers to move banks to make a point to the multi-national bank, who are also closing in Tenbury Wells.

Mrs Baldwin, MP for West-Worcestershire said: "I was very disappointed to see yet another Barclays Bank branch close and I have already been contacted by angry customers who are upset by this decision.

“I always give local people the advice that if they are unhappy with a bank, it is now easy and convenient to switch to another bank and I encourage unhappy customers to do that.

“However, I do know that both branches were busy and I would challenge the data on usage. Certainly this will cost Barclays customers in Pershore and Tenbury.

“I have registered my dissatisfaction with the senior management, but I do urge unhappy Barclays’ customers to make the point themselves and switch banks.”
Adrian Davies, Barclays community banking director for the area said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

"At Barclays Pershore branch, customer usage has continued to decline (35% in the last 24 months), which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close it.
"We hope that the availability of our other Barclays branches at Evesham, Worcester, Tewkesbury and access to banking services at the local Post Office currently located at 15-17 High Street, Pershore along with our range of digital channels will help to ease the transition for our customers.”