CONCERNS have been raised about the planned closure of a second high street bank in the county's biggest market town.

Santander has announced it will close its Leominster branch, on Drapers Lane, in October this year.

A spokesman said the decision had not been 'taken lightly' and follows a strategic review across its UK branch network, looking at changing customer behaviour, branch and digital channel usage and alternative ways for customers to bank.

It comes after the closure of Natwest earlier this summer and there are fears it is part of a worrying trend, with Kington already having been left without a single high street bank branch.

Councillor Jenny Bartlett said: "If you are losing the financial services, the impact on the town centre could be quite great in the way it changes people's shopping habits and the habits of coming into town and all the services they can access and what makes that holistic experience."

She said she fears that if there are further closures there could be a large rural county with different age groups and needs all having to travel in and out of Hereford city to access banks.

"I am sad to see them go, I wish they would stay, and I am quite worried that it's going to have an impact," she added.

"It is worrying across the board for all our market towns. Kington was first and now we are seeing closures – where is it going to end?"

Santander said closing lesser-used branches means they are able to reinvest in the branch network to improve facilities.

The nearest alternative branch is located in High Town, Hereford, but customers have been advised they can also use online, mobile or telephone banking.

All Santander current account holders will also be able to use the Post Office for cash and cheque deposits, withdrawals and to check their account balance.

A spokesman for the bank added: "Santander is committed to maintaining employment and retaining colleagues by offering suitable alternative roles.

"We will look to transfer the majority of colleagues impacted into branches within the same locality or into other roles in our retail division.

"Opportunities for impacted colleagues will also be considered in other business areas as well as options to work flexibly such as increasing job shares and part-time working.”