A BANK branch in the town centre has closed its doors for the last time.

Some locals were unaware about the closure of NatWest, in Church Street, Malvern, on Tuesday, June 6.

The branch had seen declining use over the years due to the rise of mobile and online banking.

Cllr Rosemary Webb, from Upton Town Council, was shocked to find that the had bank closed when she visited Malvern this week.

She questioned whether there had been a clear announcement about the closure.

Cllr Cynthia Palmer, the Mayor of Malvern, said: “It’s sad when a bank like NatWest closes down in the town.

“But all their customers are welcome in other banks. We still have HSBC, Lloyds and Santander.”

The building is now on sale by agents GVA, with offers for the freehold invited based on £275,000.

The building is currently classified for A2 financial and professional use, meaning that a prospective purchaser would need planning permission to use it for another purpose. 

NatWest said there had been a 400 per cent increase in mobile and online transactions between 2010 and 2015.

The bank announced the closure in December and gave staff an extra six months at the site.

National Provincial Bank (NPR) originally moved into the building in 1931, according to Malvern Museum.

NPR merged with Westminster Bank in 1968 and became National Westminster Bank - also known as NatWest - in 1970.

The branch building was originally designed by the architect F C R Palmer.