COUNCILLORS and local Labour Party members are to write to Lloyds Bank asking them to reconsider their decision to close the Dursley branch.

And they are encouraging people to keep the town’s high street alive by using local shops.

Cllr Doina Cornell said: “‘We don’t want to see more jobs being lost in the town and Dursley can’t afford to lose another bank.

"I gather there will be a mobile branch as a replacement but is that really good enough?

“This is a blow to the town as it’s the second bank to close in Dursley in recent months.

"The timing is dreadful, just when we are trying to encourage people to come and visit the town and shop locally.

"I’ll be writing to Lloyds asking them to reconsider and take out a proper consultation with local people, especially those who find it difficult to travel further afield.”

Dursley mayor, Cllr Neil Grecian said: "I am sorry and disappointed that Lloyds Bank have decided to close their branch in Dursley.

"They have been part of the town centre for many years and their leaving will make it difficult for small businesses to bank money conveniently.

"The town council are sending a letter requesting a full consultation."

Dursley resident Danae Savvidou said: “I would encourage everyone to use our local high street – there are so many amazing shops with things you can’t find anywhere else, or come and have a cup of coffee or a nice meal out.

"We can all make a difference – so think twice before you go online, and come to Dursley, it’s a lovely and friendly town.”

Lloyds has announced that it will cease trading at its Long Street branch on July 21.

Lloyds claims it made the difficult decision because customers were using it less often and the majority were now using alternative ways to bank.

It stated in a review that the counters at the Dursley branch had been 13 per cent quieter than a year ago with personal use down 14 per cent and business use down 11 per cent.

It was also found that cashpoint machine transactions had gone up by 9 per cent.

In a statement, the bank said: “This is in response to changing customer behaviours and the reduced number of transactions being made in branches.

"You can continue to use any other Lloyds Bank branch and the nearest alternative is the Wotton-under-Edge branch.

"There will also be a new mobile branch service visiting the Dursley area.

"You can also use your local Post Office for many everyday banking transactions."

The closure in Dursley is part of Lloyds plans to shut 56 of it local branches across the UK. 

Following the closure, the town will still have one bank, the TSB, plus a branch of the Coventry Building Society.