HIGHWORTH is to lose an important local amenity after NatWest announced a decision to close its high street branch.

Four members of staff currently work in the bank, which has been in the town for nearly 40 years, and will be redeployed to nearby branches as part of the closure, which will take effect in February next year.

A NatWest spokesman said: “The number of transactions taking place at this branch has dropped by 24 per cent over the last few years.

“Over our whole branch network there has been a 30 per cent drop in branch transactions since 2010 as people do their banking where and when it is convenient for them, while online, and mobile transactions have grown by over 200 per cent. We expect these trends to continue as more and more of our customers bank with us through our mobile app, by online and telephone and through our upgraded ATM network.

“We do understand that some of our customers do not use the internet or mobile phone app and prefer to be served over-the-counter.

“As a result we have come to an agreement with the local post office, which is close to the branch, so that customers can withdraw cash, check balances and make deposits free of charge. In the coming months businesses will be able to get coinage.”

Coun Maureen Penny (Con, Blunsdon and Highworth), said the news was a blow to the town.

She said: “This morning was the first I had heard about this so I haven’t even had a chance to do a straw poll, but with the news that the post office might also be going I think it will really knock the high street about.

“To have the post office go and then a bank I think will have a big effect, and I know Lloyds has also announced the need to close branches.

“It’s been well known for a long time that where the post office is it’s not getting the footfall it needs. I don’t really know how it will effect people in Highworth but I do think it will have a knock-on effect.”

Meanwhile, NatWest has announced plans to refurbish its Commercial Road branch as part of a number of service improvements, and is planning to invest more than £1 billion in branches across the UK.

A spokesman said: “Our branches are still very important to us and we’ll continue to have one of the largest branch networks in the UK.

“We are also installing around 100 new ATM locations across the UK, including in railway stations, to increase the number of places customers can access their cash.”