BARCLAYS has announced it will be closing its branch in Idle at the start of next year, which will see the final bank in the village close its doors.

The bank in New Street will shut to customers on Friday, January 18, with customers facing a six-mile round trip to the nearest branch in Otley Road, Shipley, or having to head into Bradford city centre.

Local Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said the closure is a “massive blow” for Idle.

Barclays has said the closure is down to a continual drop in customers visiting the branch, but said no staff will lose their jobs, and will instead be redeployed.

Customers will be able to undertake everyday transactions at the Post Office in Bradford Road, Idle, or use digital banking services.

Barclays has also said any customers who are concerned about how they will carry out their banking when the branch closes to contact the bank to discuss alternative options, and it will also be looking to host ‘teach and teach’ sessions on a one-to-one basis or in groups for any customers who wish to learn more about digital banking.

A spokesperson for Barclays said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices.

“At Barclays Idle branch customer usage has continued to decline and 43 per cent of our customers now regularly use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close it.

“We hope the availability of our other Barclays branch in Otley Road, Shipley, and access to services at the local Post Office located in Bradford Road, Idle, along with our range of digital channels will help to ease the transition for our customers.”

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland (Liberal Democrat, Idle & Thackley) said the decision to close the branch is “very disappointing”, and its closure in January will be a big loss for the village.

She said: “It is the last bank in Idle, and to their shame they are removing the last accessibly services from a place with a large number of people with physical and mobility challenges.

“It is a massive blow for Idle. The bank tell me they have been to each of their customers with mobility problems and sorted them out.

“It’s sad when banks expect support from the public but when the public want support from them, they withdraw it.

“Banks have a vital part to play in local communities, and I am very disappointed in Barclays.

“They need to be more imaginative about what they can offer local communities, such as support for young people, but instead it’s just more of the general decline in the service banks are providing.

“We used to have loads of banks in Idle so it’s sad to lose the last one.”

The Post Office in Idle has a step to its door, making access difficult for some people with mobility problems, and Cllr Sunderland said she has tried in the past to persuade the Post Office to move to more accessible premises without any success.