Urgent talks are to be held over Lloyds Bank's plans to close its only branch in north Powys next year which has been described as yet another "enormous blow" to customers and businesses.

The Newtown High Street bank has been earmarked for closure on April 3 due to "the changing behaviour of how customers bank".

Lloyds have stated that all members of staff at the Newtown branch will be offered the chance to move to a role at another branch, or another part of the business. A community banker will be provided in Newtown following the closure to help customers with banking queries, and customers will be able to access day to day banking services at the Post Office.

Montgomeryshire politicians Craig Williams and Russell George said they are to hold urgent discussions with representatives of the bank following the announcement on Wednesday (November 29).

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Craig Williams MP said: “Following their decision to pull out of Welshpool at the beginning of this year, Lloyds’ announcement today that it will be closing its Newtown branch in April is exceptionally disappointing news and an enormous blow to both personal and business customers.

“Whilst I accept that more and more of us are banking online, access to over-the-counter services is still vital for so many customers. It has always been my firm belief that there remains a strong need for banks to maintain a high street presence within rural communities.

“This decision also means that Lloyds will no longer have a physical branch presence within Montgomeryshire. Russell and I will therefore be seeking urgent discussions with their representatives to discuss how it will ensure that Lloyds’ loyal customers are not completely disenfranchised, and that support remains available to them."

Russell George MS added: “This is deeply disappointing news for Newtown and the surrounding communities. There are still so many customers who prefer not to bank online, or who are simply unable to given the nature of rural counties such as Montgomeryshire."