A BANK in Chard is set to close at the end of June.

Barclays, on Fore Street, is closing due to a fall in customers visiting the branch in person. The bank have discovered that only 87 customers use the branch in Chard for their banking, and the number of counter transactions has decreased in the past two years.

A spokesperson for Barclays has said the decision to close a branch is “never an easy one”.

“However, customers are increasingly using alternatives to branches to do their banking,” they said.

“As a result, we are seeing a sustained fall in branch visits across the UK.

“This is reflected at the Chard branch where there has been a 14 per cent reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020. In addition, more than eight out of ten (81 per cent) of our customers at the branch are also using different ways to bank.”

In the past year, 24 per cent of the branch’s customers have been using nearby branches, and many are using online banking.

Once the bank closes, customers can travel to branches in either Honiton or Taunton if they need to.

“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,” the spokesperson added.

Customers can also do their banking on the Barclays App, in a Post Office, via the Barclays website, via telephone or by using LINK cash machines.