Barclays in Deal has announced it will close after the New Year.

Bosses say the branch in Broad Street has seen a sustained fall in visits, with 22% less counter transactions measured before lockdown.

Customers, whom have been notified by letter, will now be encouraged to conduct their banking online, at the nearby Post Office or in the other towns such at Ramsgate and Folkestone.

A Barclays spokesman 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.

“This is reflected at the Deal branch where there has been a 22% reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020.

"In addition, 85% of our customers at the branch are also using different ways to bank.

“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.”

A closing date has been set as Friday, February 11.

The bank has pledged not to make anyone redundant as a result of the closure.

Staff will instead be offered alternative roles within the company.

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