ELDERLY and vulnerable customers say they will struggle when the last bank in West Swindon shuts its doors for the last time in the new year.

Barclays has announced its branch in Rivenhall Road, Westlea, will close on February 25, due to a drop in customer visits.

Ruth Kiddle, who uses a mobility scooter due to a nerve wasting disease in both her feet and lower legs, visits the branch weekly.

The 67-year-old said: “It was very useful. I will miss talking face-to-face to people about my accounts.

“I will have to go to town centre when I must.

"That’s not easy on a mobility scooter and I don’t have a car.”

Adver readers shared their concerns.

Sally Pearce said: “I’m not happy. There’s no point in going into the town’s branch.

"It’s too small and the queues will be horrendous.”

Robert Girling said: “This branch is always busy and the only bank in West Swindon – not all people do banking online, shame on you Barclays.”

Wendy Spence said: “It’s the only one we are able to use easily for our business, but I guess we don’t count. I don’t do online banking, so I’m really going to struggle.

"I feel bad for the elderly who rely on face-to-face.”

Nichola Cunningham said: “This is ridiculous. It’s always busy and is the last bank in West Swindon after Halifax and NatWest closed.”

Amy Miles added: “This is just awful. My mum uses this bank regularly and is physically unable to get to any other branch. What is she supposed to do now? Online is no good for her banking needs.”

The firm says no redundancies are planned and staff will be moved to other branches.

A Barclays spokesperson said: “We urge any customer who is concerned to contact us directly to discuss alternative ways in which they will still be able to bank locally once the branch closes. This will include using any post office including at the West Swindon District just over 200m away for everyday transactions and ATMs at Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury’s.

“In addition, we will be proactively engaging with the 19 customers that regularly use this branch exclusively for their banking, local businesses and the wider community.

“We will be offering virtual tea-and-teach sessions for customers wishing to explore digital banking and other alternatives to branch-based banking and those vulnerable customers with mobility restrictions will have the option to use our free cash delivery service.”