BARCLAYS becomes the third major bank in Wellington to close in 14 months when it shuts on Friday.

The bank says fewer people are using the Fore Street branch, which will close at mid-day, preferring instead to bank online. The HSBC bank in the town closed in February of last year while NatWest put up the shutters in October, leaving Lloyds as the only bank left in Wellington.

Lloyds has picked up a number of customers from these banks and has no intention of closing, according to its manager.

Barclays says: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

“At our branch at Wellington customer usage has continued to decline and additionally 76 per cent of our branch customers are also using other ways to do their banking, such as online and by telephone.

“On average nearly half – 45 per cent – of our customers now regularly use alternative branches and this figure is even higher for our business customers, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close the branch. With customers visiting our branches less and less each year, we must constantly assess how and why our branches are used and make decisions based on that insight.”

Barclays customers will be able to undertake everyday transactions at the Post Office at 20 High Street, Wellington, with the nearest Barclays at 46 North Street, Taunton.