A COUNCILLOR is urging residents worried about a bank closure to use the Post Office.

We reported on Wednesday that the Lloyds bank in New Road, St John’s, is closing later in the year.

St John’s city councillor Richard Udall said: “I’m encouraging people to use the only remaining banking facility left in St John’s - the Post Office in King Charles Place.

“They offer banking for a number of outlets, including Lloyds.

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“It’s a shame as Lloyds will be the ones who will lose out on custom.

“I’m also disappointed that jobs will go when the bank closes and the impact of this on local businesses.

“I want to encourage people to shop local and use local services as much as they can.

“Many of the elderly in St John’s rely on Lloyds for their banking needs.

“There is a sheltered housing complex right across the road from the bank and I know that many residents there use this bank as it’s easy to get to.”

The councillor remembers when there was a Barclays, a HSBC and a NatWest in St John’s.

An RAF veteran has written to the Lloyds Bank in the Worcester suburb to express his dismay.

Bill Meadows, 84, from St Peter’s, said: “When I left the RAF in 1957 I thought It was time I opened a bank account.

“I choose Lloyds above the other banks in St John’s.

“I use this branch as it’s easier to park.

“Everyone in St John’s will have to cross the river to get into the city as the roads are already chocked and parking is next to impossible.

“Surely it would be better to expand the St John’s branch.”

The branch is one of 56 branches for the chop, closing between April and October 2020.

A Lloyds Banking Group spokeswoman said: “We are committed to having the largest branch network in the UK and, in addition to our branches, all our customers can also use the Post Office to access their banking locally, alongside our mobile branches which visit many rural communities.

“This is in response to changing customer behaviours and the reduced number of transactions.”