AFTER an Upton bank has announced its closing times, fears have been expressed it could close in the future and take the cash machine with it.

Lloyds Bank will only be open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10am and 3pm as of June 1, and losing the only cash machine has been branded a "disaster".

Upton town councillors have said they will take action.

Councillor Les Roberts, speaking at the town council meeting on Tuesday, February 24, said: "This is an outrageous decision, and if the bank closes so does the cash machine.

"It is vital to the town, residents and tourists it stays open.

"I cannot believe there was no warning to the council about this.

"I would hate to think we just let the matter go without taking any action."

Mayor of Upton, Peter Webb, said: "The bank will do what the bank will do, but we should contact the senior management to see what can be done.

"I have been to the bank before and demanded answers. I was assured for the next year the bank will remain here, but who knows after that time period."

Councillor Eric White added further concern. He said: "If there is a bank within eight miles of a town, then it can close. There are banks in Malvern, Evesham and Tewkesbury so they could close ours."

A spokesman for the bank, the only one in the town, said the revised opening times reflect customer demand.

He said: "These changes have been made to more closely reflect the usage of the branch and the needs of our customers in the area.”

It was also confirmed there are no immediate plans to close the branch.

Town councillor and trader, Angela Conway who owns clothing shop Number 24, says the cash machine must remain accessible.

"It's extremely important that we keep the cash machine running.

"There are going to be more houses built here, and those people will need a bank.

"When the festivals are on, hundreds of people line the streets here.

"If they can not get money out it would be a disaster."

Vice chairman of Upton Business Association, Mike Ostick, said: "That cash machine is essential for the town, not just for the festival season, but all throughout the week.

"There have been a few problems with it in the past, and we have seen a downturn in trade when people can't access money from it, so it must stay.

"There are a lot of people in Upton who don't use internet banking, so the bank itself must stay open in the future too."