MORE than 800 people have signed a petition in a bid to save a Chester bank branch from closure.

Lloyds Banking Group announced that its Upton branch on Weston Grove will shut its doors for good on May 13.

Business owner Linda Shepherd, who runs the nearby Raymond Francis Hairdressers, has launched a petition in response to the decision and is calling on the public to write directly to the banking group urging them to reconsider.

The premises in Upton – the last remaining bank branch open outside of the city centre – is one of 56 Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches that is being axed by the group this year.

Lloyds Banking Group say their customers’ needs are changing with the majority of people now using internet and mobile banking.

Chester MP Chris Matheson is backing residents and business owners in their bid to save the branch and has written to the banking group's chief executive officer calling for a rethink.

Mrs Shepherd, who has worked at the Weston Grove salon for 43 years, said: "We've got more than 800 signatures on the petition and I would advise people to write letters to Lloyds to put their views across as that will be an even more helpful way of trying to reverse the decision.

"I've used it since I left school at 16 and for banking throughout the time I've had my business. Most of my clients use the branch.

"But it's not just local residents, I've got names on the petition from Tarporley, Tarvin, Vicars Cross, Blacon, Saltney, Christleton, you name it.

"Everyone is objecting to having to go into Chester. Why should you have to incur a cost, whether it be driving in or using public transport.

"There is also the time factor trying to get in and out of the city centre. You've still got a whole generation who won't use internet banking or don't trust it.

"Losing the branch means elderly people may have to use cashpoints and a lot won't feel safe withdrawing cash from them.

"For the last 13 months I would say the branch has been busy. The closure is another kick in the teeth for local shops."

Mr Matheson said: "I fully support the residents and businesses in Upton in their fight to maintain a local bank branch.

"While online banking has become increasingly popular, there are many people in our communities who rely on a branch where they can go along and see someone face-to-face.

"This is a particular necessity for older residents and those without internet access. For businesses, easy access to a branch is also essential.

"This is now the last branch outside of Chester city centre, and I have written to Lloyds to ask that they reconsider this decision.”

As part of an in-depth review into the Upton branch, Lloyds Banking Group found that its counter transactions are down 8% on last year and usage is 68% less than a typical Lloyds bank branch.

The report said: "Branches will remain vital in meeting customers’ needs but we must continually review our network to make sure we have branches in locations where customers need and use them the most.

"As a result, we’ve made the difficult decision to close this branch due to customers using it less often. In addition, the majority of customers are also using alternative ways to bank and we have another branch close by."