A SOUTHAMPTON Nationwide branch is to close its doors for good.

Nationwide on Bitterne Precinct is set to officially close in August due to low footfall numbers.

A spokesperson from the company has confirmed that the branch will close on August 4.

Southampton Itchen MP, Royston Smith, said that the closure is "disappointing".

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He told the Daily Echo: "This is very disappointing. I have constantly said how lucky we are to have a Nationwide branch in our constituency but now, like many of the other big banks, Nationwide is abandoning my constituents and its customers.

"All the talk of wanting to help people count for nothing when they are abandoned again for more affluent and profitable areas.

"I suppose we should be used to this from big business by now but Nationwide always claimed to be better than that. Clearly, they are not."

A spokesperson from Nationwide explained that Bitterne has four other Nationwide branches within four miles.

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They added that the branch is aware that 47.5 per cent of Bitterne branch members are using other branches, and only 1.8 per cent of Bitterne members are using the branch exclusively and frequently.

"This branch will close on 4 August 2022," they said.

"We’ve invested in three branches locally to Bitterne branch, by ensuring people in the area have modern branches with the latest technology and services.

"This means we can focus on delivering better services that will provide our members with the best face-to-face experience and help to protect our branch network in the long term.

"We would like to encourage any member who needs any support to contact their branch to talk through their options in more detail.

"There is a lot of support to help members, and anyone interested can speak to our colleagues in branch or call 0345 2660316.”

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