TRADERS in Barnards Green are banding together to give the shopping area a boost after Lloyds Bank said that it will be shutting down its branch there.

The branch at 84 Barnards Green Road will be closing its doors for the last time in March next year.

But Barnards Green Traders Association say they are determined to make sure that the Green does not lose out after the bank shuts.

Jane Knowles of the association said: "The message we want to get out to our customers is that the post office here can offer nearly all the same banking services that Lloyds currently offers, so there's no reason to stop visiting the Green."

Post mistress Jenny Cain, who also represents the area on Malvern Town Council, said: "The news that Lloyds is shutting its branch here has definitely sent a ripple through the Green.

"But what we want people to realise is that here at the post office, you can get almost everything done that you can at the bank."

The services on offer at the post office include paying in cash and cheques, checking account balances, withdrawing cash at the cash machine, car, home and life insurance, getting travel money and travel insurance, and other savings and financial services.

The post office even has a mortgage specialist who comes in one a fortnight to meet prospective clients.

Mrs Cain said: "Since we learned about the bank closing, I've spoked to hundreds of customers who've come in and told them about what we can offer. Everyone is very supportive.

"The message we want to get across is that Barnards Green is a very special area, full of mainly independent local traders, and there's no reason to stop visiting us when the bank shuts, because the post office is here.

"The traders in the Green feel very close to the community of their customers and we're determined to maintain the footfall in the Green."

A spokesperson from Lloyds Bank said: “The Barnards Green branch will close on March 13, 2017. We have made the difficult decision to close this branch because of the changing way customers choose to bank with us.

"The majority of customers now regularly use alternative branches or use other ways to bank such as online and telephone banking to complete their banking needs.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and have informed customers of the closest alternative branches.”