A MAJOR bank has revealed plans to close its branches in Dursley and Berkeley due to a decline in use.

NatWest have taken what they refer to as a “difficult decision” and now plan to close branches in the two towns at the end of July.

They have said they will ensure that a number of alternative ways for their customers to continue banking with NatWest are available.

The number of transactions taking place at NatWest's Berkeley branch has dropped by 17 per cent since 2011 and only 78 customers use the branch on a regular weekly basis. 32 of these customers already use other branches in the area.

Similarly, the number of transactions taking place at NatWest's Dursley branch has dropped by 22 per cent since 2011 and only 40 customers use the branch on a regular weekly basis. 20 of these customers use other branches in the area.

The bank said they have reached an agreement with the Post Office, who have a branch close to both of the banks.

Nat West customers can check their balance, deposit cheques and withdraw funds at the Post Office following the closures.

The NatWest cash-point will be kept in Berkeley and there is another free-to-use ATM within one mile of the branch. There are four free-to-use cash-points within a mile of the Dursley branch.

A spokesman for the bank said: “We are committed to following the UK government protocol on branch closures, and we have made the decision following careful consideration of a wide range of factors including branch usage and the alternative ways our customers can bank with us locally.

“Our customers are increasingly using alternative ways to bank such as online and mobile banking. As a result, branch transactions have declined by around 36 per cent since 2010 whilst online and mobile transactions have grown by more than 300 per cent.

“We are writing to all of our customers who use the branch, as well as displaying posters in branch to let them know of the closure. Between now and the closure date, we will engage with all of our customers, local businesses and the wider local community to make sure they are aware of the alternative ways of accessing their banking with us in the local area, and to answer any questions they might have.”

Berkeley’s NatWest will close on July 29 this year. The NatWest in Dursley will close a day later on July 30.