A BANK has introduced banking services at Newton Abbot’s town hall following the closure of its local branch.

Representatives from Santander will be at Newton’s Place every Friday from 9.30am to 5pm.

The move comes after Santander announced in January that its Newton Abbot branch would close this month.

At the time, the Spanish-owned bank said 96 per cent of its transactions were now done digitally.

The closures drew much criticism, with detractors saying it restricts access to cash, partially for the elderly and vulnerable people.

But Santander says that, where a branch is closing, a Santander representative will operate from a nearby banking hub or Santander Local, such as the case with Newton’s Place.

• Newton’s Place, 43 Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot, TQ12 1JQ