Barclays Bank has announced it is to close a branch on the outskirts of Norwich after more than 50 years.

The company said that the branch on Sprowston Road is to shut on Friday, October 13, due to a decline in customers.

Its four members of staff will transfer to branches elsewhere in the city.

Sprowston Town Council said it was 'extremely disappointed' with the decision and asked it to reconsider.

In a letter to the company, it said: 'A lot of local businesses, community organisations and elderly residents require this facility and the nearest branch at Whitefriars is not easily accessible by public transport or within walking distance.

'Closure of this branch would have an extremely negative impact on the area and in view of the above we would as you to reconsider this decision.'

Barclays said customers will be able to use its branch at 3 St James Court in Norwich, located more than one mile away.

Alternatively, it added that some services will be available at the Post Office on 201 Wroxham Road in Sprowston.

But the town council said an influx of customers to the Post Office could lead to further problems.

'The Post Office is located in a small, but very busy parade of shops with inadequate parking and is cause for constant complaints to both the police and ourselves,' the council said.

'Additional traffic to this location would only make this situation worse.'

Barclays is to host a 'tea and teach' session at its Sprowston Road branch, which opened in 1966, for customers on how to use digital banking.

It added that customers will be able to undertake everyday transactions at the Post Office.

Kathryn Kitson, community banking director for Barclays Suffolk and Norfolk said: 'The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

'At Barclays Sprowston Road branch, customer usage has continued to decline and 65pc of our customers now regularly use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close it.'

The company said no other branches in Norfolk were due to close.

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