BARCLAYS plans to close its branch in Devizes early next year.

On Monday, February 18, Barclays in Devizes will close for the last time.

The banking group said there has been a 15 per cent drop in counter transactions and fewer than 10 per cent of transactions now taking place in branch since the onset of the pandemic.

Additionally, 84 per cent of customers at the branch are using different ways to bank, it claimed.

A spokesman for Barclays said: “The decision to close a branch is never an easy one. However, customers are increasingly using alternatives to branches to do their banking. As a result, we are seeing a sustained fall in branch visits across the UK.

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“We will work with our customers and provide alternative options to ensure they can continue to manage their money and receive financial expertise when required.”

This means that the closest Barclays branches will be at Chippenham and Trowbridge.

However, Barclays customers can still do everyday banking at post offices and at the Market Street Sainsbury’s on Mondays.

Barclays also confirmed that there is no intention to make staff redundant because of the closure and that staff will be offered “alternative roles”.