WALLISDOWN is set to lose its only bank, with Barclays announcing plans to pull out of the area next February.

The Bryant Road branch will shut on February 27, with customers advised to either switch to online banking or travel to Winton if they want to speak to someone face-to-face.

Barclays customer Cllr Ron Whittaker, who lives in Kinson, said he was “fuming” at the decision and intended to write to Barclays head office to complain.

“I’m absolutely livid,” he said. “I don’t do any banking online and nor do I want to.

“This is going to inconvenience a lot of people. Kinson lost its branch some time ago and the Wallisdown branch is very popular. It is used by hundreds of people every week.

“This is a huge blow to Barclays’ customers and I am really fuming.”

Chris Maynard, Barclays’ community leader for Bournemouth, said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices. In response to this change in customer behaviour we must evolve our business to meet their needs.

“At Barclays Wallisdown branch, customer usage has declined since 2008 and two thirds of customers now regularly use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close the branch on Friday, February 27, 2015.

“Our colleagues at Barclays Wallisdown branch have been consulted about the change and will be given the opportunity to work at a nearby branch.

“In addition to the option of online, telephone and mobile banking customers can undertake everyday personal transactions at the nearby Post Office at 289a Wallisdown Road, which is a short distance away from our Wallisdown branch.

“We hope the range of alternatives including digital banking, nearby branches and Post Office access will help to ease the transition for our customers as we move out of Wallisdown branch.”