A Barclays branch in Barking is to close, the banking giant has revealed.

The branch in Ripple Road will shut in May and is among 49 branches which will go this year. 

The bank has published a document detailing the reasoning behind the closure. 

It said: "When deciding whether to close this branch, we looked carefully at how it’s been used and how customers are banking in other ways."

Statistics in the document claim that 95 per cent of people who use the Barking Central branch have also banked via the app, online and phone in 2022.

According to Barclays, only 11 customers are regular branch users who come in person "as the only way to do their banking". 

They claimed 30 per cent of the Barking Central branch customers have used nearby branches in the last year. 

The statistics were published in their statement on January 26. 

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 Barking, where we are delivering new ways to support our customers and the community.”

“Customers who need in-person support will be able to visit the East Ham and Ilford branches both within 1.7 miles, while everyday banking transactions can be undertaken at any local Post Office.”