BARCLAYS Bank has announced it will close its branch in Stonehouse.

The branch will shut on November 4, making it the second bank to close in the town within six months after HSBC closed at the end of May.

Adrian Davies, Barclays Community Banking Director, said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

"At Barclays Stonehouse branch, customer usage has continued to decline and 65 per cent of our personal customers now regularly use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close it.

"We hope that the availability of our other Barclays branch at Stroud, which is located just three miles away, and access to services at the local Post Office located at Queens Road, Stonehouse, along with our range of digital channels will help to ease the transition for our customers."

The bank confirmed there would be no job losses as a result of the closure.

Staff are being offered alternative employment at local branches including Stroud.

Colleagues will be on hand to help customers with any concerns they have before the branch closes it autumn.