A ROMSEY bank will be offering face-to-face services in the town, despite closing its branch.

It was announced earlier this year that the Barclays branch, in Market Place, would be closing on December 8.

This is part of a national programme of branch closures will see 140 branches close before the end of the year.

From the end of this week, the bank will be offering customers face-to-face services in two locations in the town. From December 9 at Romsey Library and from December 13 at Romsey Town Hall.

A spokesman for Barclays said: “Although Barclays Romsey branch is closing, we will retain an active presence in the community with the opening of our new Barclays Local service. This is located at Romsey Library, Station Road, from December 9 on Fridays and Saturdays 9.30am – 5pm and Romsey Town Hall, Market Place, from December 13, on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am – 5pm offering face to face financial support and education for customers, without the need for them to travel.

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“Customers visiting us at the Barclays Local sites will be able to access a wide range of services including financial reviews, balance requests, change of address, opening of savings and ISA accounts and have support with digital banking. As the local service is a cashless site, everyday banking transactions including cash deposits and withdrawals, however, will need to be completed at a local Post Office.”

Appointments for this can be made online, or people can drop in. The bank confirm that the service will be in place for at least 12 months.

Cllr Sandra Gidley, who represents the Romsey Abbey ward on Test Valley Borough Council, said: “It is to be applauded that the town council is trying to help people. I do hope that anyone who can’t book online will contact the staff who are very helpful and will hopefully try and help those without access to a computer. These are the people who are most disenfranchised by the bank closure and we must ensure that they are not disenfranchised by any scheme that is put in place to try and help them.

“I asked the council whether they are looking at shared banking spaces and Nick Adams King confirmed that they are not. In light of continuing closures around the country I would urge TVBC to look ahead and consider the impact of future closures. Then they should work with interested parties to put workable solutions in place so that as many people as possible have physical access to banking services.”