RESIDENTS in Newent who bank with Barclays will not lose their branch despite rumours its set to close.

There were concerns that customers would have to travel outside the area to do their everyday banking after Lloyds Bank confirmed it was closing next April due to a sharp decline in footfall.

Adrian Davies, Barclays community leader for Gloucestershire, said: “I can confirm that there are currently no plans to close Newent branch.

“In the event of any closure, customers would be advised at least 12 weeks in advance as per the agreed banking protocol relating to branch closures.”

Forest of Dean district councillor Craig Lawton (Con, Oxenhall and Newent North East) has written to Lloyds Bank stressing the importance of keeping the branch open in the town.

Mr Lawton said: “The Lloyds branch is not in my ward, but the fact its closure will impact many people in my ward demonstrates how important high street banks are in rural areas.

“With Barclays due to also close we could be left with no direct banking service in the area. This would mean people may need to travel to Gloucester or Ross-on-Wye just to be able to access their bank.

“I have written to Lloyds asking them to clarify the footfall that their Newent branch has had over the last year as well as what level of footfall is needed to remain open.”

Staff at the branch are meeting with their manager over the next week to discuss their options. The aim will be to move staff to a nearby branch but there may be limited opportunity to request redundancy on a voluntary-basis.

A spokesperson for Lloyds Bank said: “We have made the difficult decision to close our branch in Newent in April 2016. This is because customers are using this branch less often. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause and have informed customers of the closest alternative branch, which is Eastgate Street, Gloucester.”

Customers can use their local Post Office to check their balance, withdraw cash and make deposits to their account.