A BANK branch which has occupied a site in Chester city centre for many years is to close today.

The branch of Barclays in Eastgate Street will close and staff are to be relocated.

The banking giant says the branch no longer meets the need of customers and £215,000 is to be invested in the nearby St Werburgh Street branch.

A number of staff members will be redeployed to the St Werburgh Street office, although some will be sent to branches in Hoole Road and Saltney.

A Barclays spokeswoman says a buyer is yet to be found for the Eastgate Street building.

'Basically, with these two branches, we have decided the St Werburgh Street branch is more ideally suited to meeting the needs of our customers,' she said.

'We are not losing staff as they are going to be redeployed in local branches. We are investing £215,000 in the St Werburgh Street branch to make it better for customers in wheelchairs.'