Ashby's Town Centre manager hopes that the Lloyds Bank building can put to a 'fantastic' new use as soon as possible following its planned closure in August.

Lloyds Bank announced on Wednesday that the Ashby branch would be closing on August 25 as part of a UK-wide programme which would see another 19 branches axed.

It means that Ashby will have lost three banks over the past year with Santander and HSBC also leaving the town centre,

But Stuart Benson, town centre manager for Ashby de la Zouch Town Council, says the unit is big enough for a new restaurant or bar.

Stuart told Ashby Nub News: "Of course, this is another blow to the town not only does it affect the residents, but also us as the council who bank with Lloyds and often pay in cash and cheques on a regular basis.

"Especially when we are putting on an events as we do not have any card facilities for taking payments.

"The building footprint is very large internally having spent time in there when it was TSB and my father took over as the Bank Manager in 198,2 so it personally holds at lot of memories for myself.

"I can see it making a good restaurant or bar.

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"There is definitely plenty of scope for it to become something fantastic in the future.

"In the here and now, it's a huge blow and leaves a big hole in the centre of town."

But Stuart says Ashby has been bouncing back following the pandemic years.

He added: "Ashby is good at bouncing back and sadly nothing stays the same forever.

"But we do have a vibrant town compared with other places and people are willing to invest.

"The Ashby BID will be looking to work closely with landlords and agents to ensure the town is a thriving place to live work or visit."