A WOMAN said that she does not think "the time has come yet" to close the branch of a Worle bank and started a petition to oppose the decision.

Julie Leahy is a driving instructor who often uses the High Street area of Worle where the Lloyds Bank branch is based.

She said the announced closure in October is likely to affect senior members of the community.

Julie said: “I was there on Monday from 10am to 2pm collecting signatures and starting a petition.

“I am going to stand outside the Co-op on Friday. I have contacted the MP and I will contact councillors in the area.

“I do use the bank, yes. It is convenient, there’s parking around the back. It will be more difficult to use the other town centre branch.

“I am doing this because there are senior members of the community that use that branch and for them is going to create more problems.

“I understand the footfall is falling but it’s still a very busy branch. Some of the customers do not have wi-fi, or internet.

“I understand times have to move on and we can use the Post Office.

“The time will come to close the branch but for that area I don’t think that the time has come yet.”

The branch on the High Street will close on October 15, 2024.

A document published on the bank’s website read: “Before we close any branch, we look at how our customers are managing their money and using the branch.

“Most customers are now using our mobile banking app, internet banking, or calling us instead.

“This means they are using branches, including our Worle branch, much less.

“Because of this, we'll be closing our Worle branch.”

A Lloyds Bank spokesperson: “As many customers now choose to bank through their mobile app or online, visits to our Worle branch have fallen over recent years.

"When the branch closes in October, customers can continue to manage their money online, by calling us, in person at our Weston Super Mare branch, or the local Post Office on Worle High Street.”

Julie said will collect more signatures for her petition on Friday (August 2) outside the Co-op supermarket.