Lloyds announces easier way to deposit cheques following backlash from Pershore and Upton residents. LOYDS BANK HAS announced an easier way to deposit cheques in a move that has been welcomed by West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin. Customers can now pay in cheques via freepost, as well as through Post Offices and Banking Hubs until 2030. Dame Harriett Baldwin wrote to Lloyds to raise concerns in Pershore and Upton after customers complained it was no longer accepting cheques at Banking Hubs. Lloyds confirmed it had stopped accepting cheque deposits through Post Offices and Banking Hubs this year, but changed position to cater to elderly and vulnerable customers against a backdrop of declining high street banking. Dame Harriett praised the new postal deposit system and Lloyds for listening to its customers. She said: "I know lots of local people still use cheques to send and receive money. Whilst many banks have offered alternatives, not everyone uses online banking or is able to travel to larger towns to bank in-person. "I am pleased that Lloyds has done the right thing and introduced free, postal cheque deposits and I hope that customers take full advantage. "On the Treasury Select Committee Evesham Observer has closely examined trends in physical banking services and the changing face of the high street. "Sadly many banks have abandoned our towns despite my pleas, but the Post Office and Banking Hubs remain an option for anyone who prefers a face-to-face service." More Stories

Concrete blocks appear amid plans for old Dunfermline bank. 26th August Concrete blocks have appeared on the site. (Image: NQ) Find, save and share Public Notices that affect you in the Dunfermline area. CONCRETE blocks have appeared around a former Dunfermline banking site which could be demolished to make way for a new £20 million development. The barriers have been placed around the grass verge of Pitreavie Way, restricting access to the former Lloyds Bank office. It's a clear indication, following the submission of a planning application, that the owners want to progress proposals that could see the site transformed with multiple commercial units, bringing hundreds of jobs to the area. Last year, Lloyds revealed it would exit its centre in Pitreavie Business Park, instead relocating its services to Edinburgh. It closed for good in June. The former Lloyds Banking office. (Image: Supplied) Ashfield Land acquired the site with plans to invest in and redevelop it into a "high-quality industrial, logistics development" along with Euro Property Investments Limited (EPIL). Their application for planning in principle was validated this month and asks for up to 200,000 sq ft of floor space, for a "mixed-use development to provide commercial and industrial uses with parking, landscaping, infrastructure, and ancillary works". This is one option for what the site could look like. (Image: Fife Council planning portal) They say there is an investment value in excess of £20m. While the application is in place, it's still not clear what the new units would be used for, and associated documents state "the full details of the proposed development are at this point unconfirmed". They added: "Construction of the proposed development is anticipated to commence within three-to-six months of consent being secured, with the overall construction period expected to extend over approximately nine-to-12 months. "Although the precise programme will be dependent on market demand, procurement arrangements and other relevant factors." This is another option for what the site could look like. (Image: Fife Council planning portal) The applicants said there would be approximately £18m of construction expenditure to be generated through the redevelopment of the site. They added: "Once operational, the development is anticipated to support between 285 and 375 gross direct jobs, together with between 370 and 475 net additional direct, indirect and induced jobs, including 240 to 315 jobs for Fife residents." Read More: Associate Declan O'Neill previously said: "Pitreavie Business Park is a highly strategic site with outstanding potential for commercial development, so we're delighted to secure this acquisition. "We look forward to progressing through the planning process and delivering significant economic benefits across the Fife region." More Stories

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