THE closure of a bank in Dinas Powys has been labelled “a blow” to the community.

It was announced on Tuesday, that the NatWest branch on Elm Grove Road is set to close.

The bank currently employs two people and is open on Mondays and Fridays.

NatWest said that only 18 customers use the branch, with nine said to be also using other branches in the area.

They also say the number of transactions at the branch has reduced by 56 per cent since 2011.

But Judith Anderson, of Murchfield Community Centre, said she uses the bank every week and questioned the figures.

“I find those numbers odd because there is usually a queue and I know quite a few residents who use it,” she added.

“This is going to make things more awkward and difficult for us as we use mainly cash. It will be a blow for the local community because I know quite a few organisations such as ourselves, Dinas Powys Voluntary Concern (DPVC), and the community council themselves use it.”

John Fanshaw, of DPVC, said he agreed with questions over the statistics and added that elderly people and those with mobility issues may have a hard time accessing alternatives.

The Vale of Glamorgan’s member of parliament, Alun Cairns, has said he will meet with the management from the branch to discuss the figures Natwest have provided and to seek commitments to alternative banking options for residents.

Dinas councillor Chris Franks called the decision a “disgrace” and said the writing was on the wall when the bank went to two day opening. The community council would do all it could to challenge the decision, he added.

Jane Hutt, assembly member for the Vale of Glamorgan, said she was “extremely disappointed and utterly dismayed” by the news in light of closures elsewhere. She said: “I am extremely concerned that the Vale of Glamorgan could potentially have lost three banks in six months.”

A spokesman for NatWest confirmed they had taken the “difficult decision” to close the branch.

He said: “We will ensure there are a number of alternative ways for people in the area to continue to bank with us including the use of ATMs, mobile branches, other nearby branches and post offices.”

The decision was taken following “careful consideration”, he added, and also said the bank always aim to keep compulsory redundancies to a minimum.

NatWest will be writing tocustomers  to let them know of the closure, scheduled for August 9.