Barclays has announced it is to close its branch in Herne Bay later this year.

The bank will be following in the footsteps of HSBC and bowing out of the town in September.

The long-running Mortimer Street branch, which has seen usage continually fall in recent years, will close its doors for the final time at noon on Wednesday, September 7.

Its departure means the closest Barclays branch for customers to visit will be in Canterbury high street.

A company 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 Herne Bay branch where there has been a 19% reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020.

"In addition, 81% of our customers at the branch are also using different ways to bank."

Barclays says it does not intend to make any of the Herne Bay members of staff redundant.

The impending closure of the bank comes after HSBC revealed it too will be leaving the coastal town in the autumn. Its final day is on October 4.

The likes of Nationwide, Lloyds and Halifax will still be in operation in Herne Bay.

A Barclays spokesman added: “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 includes working with the local community to find different, more flexible ways for our colleagues to continue to provide local banking support, such as through pop-up presences.”

With fewer than 10% of transactions now taking place inside a bank branch, Barclays has taken the decision to cut down its high street presence across the UK.

Last month, it was revealed 27 branches - not including Herne Bay - were to be axed due to the increase in digital banking.