A high street bank has confirmed its Ely branch will close this spring and it is exploring ways to offer a replacement service in the city.  

Barclays, in High Street, will close on April 11 and the search is now underway to find a location for its “Barclays Local” hub.  

The bank revealed there are 24 customers who use the Ely branch exclusively for their banking needs.  

It also says the direction of services nationally is moving online with 10.9m customers now using digital banking. 

A Barclays spokesperson said: “As visits to branches continue to fall, with the majority of people preferring to bank online, we need to adapt to provide the best service for all our customers. 

“This is reflected at Ely, where we are delivering new ways to support our customers and the community with options for those who need in-person services.”  

Barclays says it does not intend to make anyone at the Ely branch redundant as a result of the closure. 

Everyday transactions can still be completed in-person at any Post Office with the closest located at St Mary’s Street, Ely. 

But from April 11, the nearest branch will be in St Andrew’s Street, Cambridge.  

The spokesperson added: “In Ely we plan to open a Barclays Local – a cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support, as they would in a branch and without the need to travel.  

“We are currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location and will announce details once confirmed.” 

The bank says Barclays Local is the UK’s largest network of alternative branch formats, with a presence in over 300 locations including town halls, libraries and mobile vans.