BARCLAYS has announced that its branch in Bridgwater will close in April, citing a drop in footfall as customers turn to online or telephone banking.

The bank will close 14 branches in England and one in Wales between late April and the first few days of May.

Sites in London, Gosport and St Helens will also shut. Barclays had already announced the closure of 15 branches earlier this month.

The Bridgwater branch, located at 16 High Street, will close on Wednesday, April 26.

A reasons for closure document on the bank's website says: “Back when we opened this branch, visiting us in person was one of the only ways to do your banking.

“Now, as there are lots of ways to manage your money without even leaving your home, we’re seeing many customers choosing to bank using our app, and online or telephone banking.

“This has had a big impact on the number of customers coming in to see us.

“When deciding whether to close this branch, we looked carefully at how it’s been used and how customers are banking in other ways.”

Somerset County Gazette: The bank has announced the closure of a further 15 branches in England and Wales.The bank has announced the closure of a further 15 branches in England and Wales. (Image: Tim Goode/PA Wire)

Barclays says 57 customers use its Bridgwater branch regularly as the “only way to do their banking”.

Around 90 per cent of its customers also banked using the Barclays app, online and by phone in 2021, while 18 per cent have used other nearby branches in the last year.

The bank adds: “We want to reassure you that we’re here to help. We’ll stay in your community and you’ll be able to talk to us in person.

“We’re finalising the details of where we’ll be based, and when, to support you with your banking, and we‘ll share the details locally once confirmed.

“We’ll be available to help you with things like day-to-day banking queries and helping you manage your money, though there won’t be access to cash at this site.

“We’ll also add the location and opening times on our website.”

The announcement comes just days after NatWest announced the closure of its branch in Ilminster because customers are “shifting to mobile and online banking”.