The LAST bank branch in Pershore is set to close.

Lloyds has confirmed that the branch on Broad Street will soon be closing.

A statement from the firm says the decision was made due to an ongoing shift towards digital banking.

A letter published on the Lloyds website read: “The world is becoming more digital than ever before and more of our customers are doing their everyday banking online.

“With more customers choosing to use digital ways to bank and manage their money, visits at this branch have fallen.

“As a result, we've made the difficult decision to close it.”

The Broad Street branch will close on February 20, 2024.

Coinciding with this announcement, LINK, the UK’s ATM network, has announced hat a new banking hub will be created in Pershore.

In 2021, the banking industry agreed that following the closure of any branch, LINK will identify whether a community requires further cash services.

There are currently five banking hubs up and running across the UK including Brixham (Devon), Cambuslang (Lanarkshire), Cottingham (East Riding of Yorkshire), Rochford (Essex) and Troon (Ayrshire).

LINK described banking hubs as shared spaces, similar to a traditional branches, but available to everyone.

The hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any of the main high street banks can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions.

There will also be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy.

The banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.

Chris Ashton, head of banking services at LINK, said: "We know the way we pay for things and bank is changing.

“Yet not everyone is able to bank online or use digital payments.

 Many consumers and small businesses still rely on face-to-face banking and cash.

“That’s why we’re pleased to confirm Pershore has been selected for a banking hub.”

The banking hub will now be delivered by Cash Access UK.

Over the next few weeks, it will begin to engage with the local community and to start looking for potential sites.

The hub is anticipated to open in 2024.