Much Wenlock bank closure will 'kill the town'
Closing the last bank in Much Wenlock will "kill the town", it has been claimed.
Barclays has announced plans to close the branch in High Street on October 4.
Vanessa Laming runs Mrs P's newsagent and sweet shop in Much Wenlock High Street, opposite the bank.
The 60-year-old, who runs her shop with husband Paul, 63, said: "It's okay for people who have transport and can travel elsewhere but I would say 50 per cent of people in Much Wenlock are older people.
"Closing it will kill the town.
"If people have to go elsewhere to get to a bank they will do their shopping elsewhere too."
Andrea Ash, who runs Wenlock Upholstery with her husband Stuart, 41, uses the bank regularly for their business.
The 42-year-old, who also lives in Much Wenlock, said: "Every time we come down here it's busy, especially on a Thursday.
"People can't come on Wednesday or Friday as it's closed so it gets busy on days when it is open.
"There are a lot of elderly people who use it.
"The cash machine will go too and some of the shops just take cash. That's going to have a knock-on effect with everyone else."
Another Barclays customer, Sue Cullin, 70, of Much Wenlock, said: "It's going to be a nuisance.
"It's a huge step backwards. A lot of elderly people can't do online banking."
