A MAJOR High Street bank that announced its plan to close its Andover branch has now revealed that it is planning to open a cashless banking site in the town.

Barclays, which announced that it will close its Andover branch at 5 High Street on Friday, May 17, said it now plans to open Barclays Local, a site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support as they would in a branch.

Barclays Local is a flexible community presence in places such as town halls and libraries, mobile vans and banking pods.

Customers can access a range of in-person support such as help with digital banking, financial reviews, balance checks transfers and bill payments.

READ MORE: Major High Street bank to close as modern methods have 'big impact' on footfall 

Barclays Local has a presence in more than 350 locations across the UK.

The bank said it is currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location for Barclays Local in Andover and it will announced details when confirmed.

Barclays announced the closure of its main Andover branch citing modern ways of banking such as online or telephone as "having a big impact" on customers coming into the branch.

A Barclays spokesperson said: “As visits to branches continue to fall, with the majority of people preferring to bank online, we need to adapt to provide the best service for all our customers. This is reflected at Andover branch where we are delivering new ways to support our customers and the community with options for those who need in-person services.”

“In Andover we plan to open a Barclays Local – a cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support, as they would in a branch and without the need to travel. We are currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location and will announce details once confirmed.”

The closure of the main branch means Barclays users in Andover will now depend on Barclays app, telephone banking, online banking and video banking, and the Barclays Local site for cashless transactions.

Alternatively, they can do cash transaction at any Post Office with the closest located at 31 High Street, Andover.

The closest Barclays branch is at 50 Jewry Street, Winchester.

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The nearest free-to-use ATMs to the closing branch are located nearby at the Halifax 3-3A High Street and Santander, 33 High Street,  Andover.

Meanwhile, all of Barclays customers with Andover as their branch will receive a letter with the bank’s decision to close.

There will be posters displayed at the branch, and staff will be on hand to assist customers with any concerns they may have.