THE forthcoming closure of Birmingham Midshires in Studley has prompted the parish council to write a letter expressing its disappointment to the company.

At a council meeting last week, councillors felt they had not been given a rational reason as to why the financial services provider in Alcester Road was to close.

The company is trying to encourage more of its customers to take up postal, internet or telephone accounts and recommends others use a branch in Alcester.

But councillors believe the closure will leave elderly customers out in the cold as they would find it difficult to travel to Alcester.

Birmingham Midshires applied for planning permission for an ATM machine near Dillons in Alcester Road, but this was refused by Stratford Council and objected to by the parish council, on the grounds that it could cause traffic chaos with people parking nearby.

The parish council will also write a letter to CWS, which owns the Pioneer Co-op store in Alcester Road, currently under threat of closure.

CWS says it will sell the store as a going concern but the parish council has had no confirmation of this and is keen to clarify the situation.

Parish Councillor Gill Harris said: "It is a very important store for Studley and if it closes it could create a vacuum in the village."

Another potential blow to the village was raised at last week's parish council meeting when rumours of Lloyds TSB closing were aired.

A Lloyds Bank spokesman said: "Our network is always under review and if a branch is to close we would always let customers and staff know first. We would always give six weeks notice."