A BANK is closing its Winsford branch later this year following a drop in customer visits before the pandemic.

Barclays will close its Dingle Lane branch on Friday, May 7.

Data released from the bank shows that there were 859 counter transactions a week in 2019-20 for personal banking, compared to 1,020 in 2017-18 – a 16 per cent drop.

For business banking, the decline was even greater from 201 transactions a week to 148 – 26 per cent fewer.

Meanwhile, Barclays says that 83 per cent of its Winsford branch customers use other ways to do their banking – such as online or over the phone – and 24 per cent used nearby branches in the last 12 months.

A spokesman for Barclays said: "Before we make the decision to close any branch, we think carefully about how it has been used so far.

"We consider how many customers have been visiting, what kind of transactions they've been making, and all the other ways they've been choosing to bank with us.

"We also take into consideration the availability of other branches in the wider community."

The nearest Barclays to Winsford will be in High Street, Northwich, once the town's branch closes in May.

Barclays customers can withdraw money, pay in cash and check balances using their Barclays debit card and PIN at the Post Office, as well as pay in cheques to a Barclays account using a personalised paying-in slip and a cheque deposit envelope.

Cash withdrawals can also be made at any Link ATM, free of charge.

To register for telephone or online banking call 0345 734 5345.