A SOUTHAMPTON Barclays branch which closed after being damaged by a huge fire is set to reopen next week.

The branch in Above Bar Street will reopen on August 20, after it closed in March this year.

As previously reported, the site was damaged after a fire broke out at the nearby Waterstones on March 6, bringing the city to a standstill.

While the future of the bookshop is still hanging in the balance, Barclays has confirmed that its branch in the city centre is set to reopen.

The revamped site will have two new traditional counters with screens and a new digital bar – an area where staff members will be on hand to support those customers who want to understand more about online and mobile banking.

The firm has confirmed that the set-up remains the same: open plan, with two floors.

The banking hall will include traditional counters and assisted-service tills.

More staff members will also be in the hall area armed with iPads ready to give assistance.

Alli Perry, Barclays market leader for Southampton, said: “We’re delighted to re-open Barclays Above Bar branch at the heart of the city centre and look forward to welcoming customers and supporting people with their finances.

“The newly refurbished branch has some added traditional features alongside new technology to enable all our customers to transact with us in a way that suits them.

“Once again we would like to thank our customers for their patience while the essential work was carried out to ensure the premises were made safe and fit for purpose.”

The branch will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, Wednesday from 10am to 5pm, and Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Waterstones said assessment work on the building is ongoing.