BARCLAYS in Neston will close after drastic changes in customers banking habits it has been revealed.

The final day of trading for Barclays will be Friday, October 20 leaving the town without a high street bank.

This closure follows NatWest’s departure in 2015 and HSBC last year.

Barclays say that there have only been 188 regular customers who use the branch for their banking.

The number of counter transactions had gone down from the previous year and 74% of their customers use other ways to do their banking such as online or by telephone.

Customers are being referred to other branches such as Heswall, Bromborough or Upton.

A spokesman for Barclays said: “Before we make the decision to close any branch, we think carefully about how it has been used so far.

“We consider how many customers have been visiting, what kind of transactions they've been making, and all the other ways they've been choosing to bank with us.

“We also take into consideration the availability of other branches in the wider community.”

Customers are also advised to use the banking services available at the Post Office.

Martin Kearsley, banking services director at the Post Office said: “With a trusted network of 11,600 branches, and with 99.7% of people in the UK living within just three miles of a Post Office, we are uniquely placed to bring vital services to local communities right across the country.

"It’s a responsibility that we take very seriously, and it's why we have secured continued access to almost every UK bank account through all of our branches, in partnership with the banking industry.

"So whether there is still a bank nearby, or whether a community is struggling with limited access to a bank, we are right there to offer a range of every day banking services in all our Post Office branches.

"From cash deposits and withdrawals, to balance enquiries, we want to make life as easy as possible; not only for the people of Neston, but for the millions of customers and small businesses who use us every day nationwide.”  

Any questions and concerns about the changed can be made to community banking director for Merseyside and South Lancs Lisa McCormick by email lisa.mccormick@barclays.com