HOT on the heels of the announcement that the Co-op is to close its New Ferry store, Lloyds Bank has also announced it is closing its branch in the town as well.

The news has shocked traders in the beleaguered district centre who now fear their own businesses will suffer as the result of reduced footfall.

The loss of these major businesses follows the closure of other shops in recent years which has included Ethel Austin, Hunter's Furniture, the Citizens' Advice Bureau, and even the Oxfam charity shop which closed down just after Christmas.

New Ferry was once a major shopping centre with many popular stores where generations of shoppers visited.

Today it is a shadow of its former self with the Croft Retail Park and Birkenhead having grown.

In recent weeks, both Aldi and Lidl have submitted applications to the council to build proposed new stores just a mile further down New Chester Road nearer to Bromborough.

Something very drastic needs to be done with New Ferry, and urgently.

Mark Anthony Craig, New Ferry Residents' Association chairman.