A BOURNEMOUTH bank is set to close next month.

Bosses at Santander say the decision to shut the branch at 93 Old Christchurch Road "was not taken lightly".

The bank will shut on August 24, and customers will be asked to visit the Commercial Road branch instead.

A spokesperson said: “Santander is committed to providing a good level of service that meets the changing needs of our customers. In order to do this we continually review our branch network, and sometimes need to make difficult decisions over our less utilised branches, ensuring colleagues and customers are informed well in advance of any changes.

“As part of this assessment, Santander reviewed the branch at Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth and consulted with our unions and branch colleagues.

"This branch will close on August 24 2017 and members of the Old Christchurch Road branch team will join our branch at 43-45 Commercial Road, Bournemouth, which is located half a mile away.

"In May, we wrote to all customers and local stakeholders in the community to inform them of the closure and the Bournemouth branch teams have been helping customers understand the full range of alternative ways in which they can bank with us.

“This decision was not taken lightly and follows a strategic review looking at customer usage levels, lease agreements, our overarching UK footprint and customer engagement strategy.

"By reducing inefficiencies in our branch network, we’re able to reinvest in our branches to improve their facilities, as well as investing further in digital capabilities to deliver a better experience for our customers, whilst continuing to provide services to local communities."

In April, it was announced that the branch of Boots in Old Christchurch Road will close on August 15 after a decision was taken not to renew the lease.

Customers can still visit the larger branch at 18-20 Commercial Road.

A spokesperson from the company said staff will be "redeployed" to other stores.

"We are actively talking to all of our customers to highlight our other store in Commercial Road, where they will still be able to pick up any prescriptions, access Boots pharmacy services and find all of their favourite Boots products," the spokesperson said.