BARCLAYS has denied there are plans to further reduce the opening hours of its Ledbury branch.

But the company wouldn't rule out changes in the future, leading to fears that the town's so-called "bank drain" will continue .

Reduced opening hours from five days to four days at Barclay's Ledbury branch began last week.

But customer Barry Watson said he had already received an email warning of possible further reductions.

Mr Watson told the Reporter: "We are down to just two banks and three cash points. I have just had an email from Barclays informing me of a further change in opening hours; they are already only open four days a week .

"My prediction based on what is happening everywhere is that with this creeping reduction in opening hours, Barclays will close in two years' time. Is anybody prepared to challenge these banks?"

But Richard Stockland, community banking director at Barclays, said the Thursday closure, already announced and set in place, is the only change at present.

“Our branch opening hours and presence on the high street is constantly being reviewed to reflect how and when our customers are choosing to use us," he said. "As a result we have taken the decision to close Ledbury on a Thursday. The opening hours on other days remain the same."

He added: "We have no current plans to close Ledbury, but branch-based banking is changing as more and more people use alternative ways to undertake their banking.

"Therefore we are unable to speculate on any future decisions regarding changes to opening hours and our branch network.”

Barclays in Ledbury underwent a major refurbishment in the autumn of 2017.

There has been a 'bank drain' in recent years from Ledbury with the loss of Natwest, HSBC and Lloyds branches.

The town of 10,000 people has only three cash machines at present: at Barclays, at the Co-op and at Tesco's supermarket, and during busy times such as Bank Holidays, the ATMs have run out of money.

The only other bank in Ledbury, apart from Barclays, is TSB, also in The Homend.