The closure of branches of Lloyds Bank was be “a nightmare for local people”, one resident has said.
Another said she does not find using the internet easy and would face a long journey to use another branch. She said people were disgusted at the closures.
Lloyds said the number of people using its branches in Ludlow and Bridgnorth, which are due to close on Tuesday, had fallen and only a fifth of its personal customers were not using mobile, internet or phone banking, or visiting other branches.
It suggested people could still use free cash machines and the Post Office to get cash or pay in money and said it could arrange for a “community banker” to visit the town if needed.
In Bridgnorth, Doreen Riley, 77, said she did not find the internet easy to use and would face a long journey to use another branch.
She said: “I’ve always used this bank and everybody in Bridgnorth that was born here are disgusted really.”
Michael Paulley said it was a “nightmare for local people”.
“A lot of people rely on this and where are they going to get their cash? There’s too many branches closing,” he said.
Diane Edwards said she did not have a computer and did not drive.
She said: “There’s millions of us, not just me that feel strong about this. It affects everybody.”
Helen Upton from Catherine’s Bakery in Bridgnorth said the closure of the Lloyds branch was “another nail in the coffin for the town really because we’ve had so many closures just lately”.
Smaller businesses in the town had been suffering from “retirements, lack of business, price increases and national insurance changes,” she said.
The MP for South Shropshire, Stuart Anderson, said older people were being disproportionately affected by the closures.
He said he had written to the bank and to the treasury to complain and that the closures would affect hundreds of people.
He has suggested banking hubs are set up in the towns, to allow people to access banking services on pre-arranged days.
Since September, 67 bank branches have closed on high streets around the West Midlands.
Some have been replaced by banking hubs, but others have closed altogether.
Lloyds said: “As many customers now choose to bank through their app or online, visits to our Bridgnorth and Ludlow branches have fallen over recent years.
“Customers can use the Post Office for everyday banking, alongside managing their money on our app, online, by calling us, or with our new Community Bankers when they are up and running.”
James Bovill
BBC Midlands Today
BBC Shropshire
