SADNESS has been expressed after Barclays announced it will close its bank in Caldicot.

The bank has announced it will be closing the branch in Newport Road on November 24, following a decline in usage.

Adrian Davies, Barclays community banking director for the area, said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

"At Barclays Caldicot branch, customer usage has continued to decline and 46 per cent of our 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 Chepstow and access to services at the local post office located at 12 Wesley Buildings, Newport Road, Caldicot along with our range of digital channels will help to ease the transition for our customers.”

Allan Rooks, whose sister uses the branch, said: "I think it is a sad thing that small branches are closing."

He added: "A lot of elderly and some younger people can't use the internet and are nervous of using online and telephone banking.

"I like to see a face when I go in a bank."

Barclays has said it is working with businesses in the area to discuss alternative banking methods.

A spokesman for the bank said: "We do not take the decision to close any branch lightly and we are committed to adhering to the UK Access to Banking Standard.

"All of our customers will receive a letter, our decision to close document and posters will be displayed in branch and colleagues will be on hand to assist customers with any concerns they may have.

"We will be proactively engaging with local businesses and the wider community to discuss the alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally, before the branch closes on November 24, 2017.

"Customers are able to undertake everyday transactions at the post office "We urge any customer who is concerned about how to undertake their banking once the branch closes to contact us so that we can discuss alternative banking options.

"We will look to host ‘teach and teach’ sessions individually or in a group for any customer wishing to explore digital banking."