BARCLAYS has explained the reasoning behind the closure of its Bridgwater branch.

The bank closed on April 26, citing a drop in footfall as customers turn to online or telephone banking. 

The bank shut down 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 also shut. 

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.”

With 90 per cent of people who used the branch also banking by phone or app, it seems that the demand for the physical space just wasn't there.

It also seems that people used different branches of the same bank. Barclays estimates that 18 per cent of the branch’s customers used nearby branches in the 12 months prior to their closure, and only 57 customers used the branch regularly as the only way to do their banking.

The bank said: "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 – just search ‘Barclays branch finder'."

Other ways of banking include via the app, through cash machines, at the Post Office and on the telephone.