West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has today criticised Barclays Bank over plans to close its Pershore branch early next year. The bank blames declining customer numbers for shutting down the branch on Bridge Street in March. But Harriett has written to the bank’s chief executive complaining about the decision which follows close on the heels of the announcement that the bank will also be closing its branch in Tenbury – also in her constituency in the coming weeks. Harriett commented: “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.”