A high street bank is to close this summer.

Halifax in Strood will shut its doors on Thursday, August 29, with customers told their accounts will be held at the nearest branch, just over two miles or an 18 minute bus journey away in Chatham.

Over-the-counter services will be available at post offices, the closest one being in North Street, Strood.

Hours at the branch were already cut last month and Strood South ward councillor Josie Iles said it was an unfortunate reflection on how things were going.

She said: "I think it's just how things are going. Obviously it's not what customers want. It's a shame this is happening but it's something banks are increasingly doing."

Asked if councils could do more she said she didn't think they could as ultimately it was a business decision.

The closure will leave Strood with five banks and one building society.

A Halifax spokesman said: “We have made the difficult decision to close the Halifax, Rochester branch on 29th August 2019 due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in the branch being used less often.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause, customers can continue to access their banking locally by visiting the nearby Post Office, which is less than half a mile from the branch. The nearest alternative branch is Chatham.”

The bank could not say how many people worked at the branch as some employees also work elsewhere but hope there will be no redundancies.

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