West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has secured guarantees that Lloyds Bank will delay its branch closure to allow a new banking hub to be opened in the town.

The bank has written to Harriett confirming that the branch closure will be delayed to allow extra time for the team delivering the hub to get their plans in place. Posters will shortly be put up in the bank confirming that the new closure date will be May 28, 2024.

A hub – which represents all the major high street banks – will be opened as soon as possible allowing Lloyds to exit the town. It will be opened by Link – which runs the national cashpoint network and now has the responsibility to support communities which have been left without any high street bank.

Plans are already advanced to identified a site for the hub, but Harriett asked Lloyds Bank to confirm that it would not leave the town before the hub is operational.

Harriett said:

“Over the years, I have worked closely with Lloyds after it left Upton-upon-Severn and now Pershore and I have secured a range of commitments to ensure people are able to access banking services.

“I’m working closely with the team delivering the hub to help remove any obstacles to this process but I was worried that the Lloyds timeline to leave the town was very tight.

“I am grateful that the Lloyds management have allowed this extra time and hope that the new hub’s plans will be confirmed soon.”