PRESTATYN HSBC is among 82 branches to permanently shut this year.

HSBC it set to close down its Prestatyn High Street premises in July as part of a plan to prioritise its digital services.

The investment bank said its branch use has fallen by a third over the last five years while nine in ten customers carry out banking activities over the phone and internet.

The closure is another blow for the High Street after TSB confirmed its branch will close in March. Santander and Yorkshire Building Society closed in 2017 and Barclays is now the only in-store banking service available in the town.

A rise in online banking has a wave of other bank branch closures across North Wales in recent years.

It adds to ongoing concerns that elderly residents who are not able to use technology have limited access to banking services.

Dr James Davies, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, said: “The news that HSBC plan to shut their prominent Prestatyn High Street branch this July is disappointing yet all too familiar news.

“By my calculation, a town which boasted virtually every major bank only a few years ago will now be left with just one – Barclays.

“While it is clear that people’s banking needs and habits are changing, this closure will have a negative effect on a sizeable minority who do not use the internet or smartphone apps and it is important that facilities remain for in-person transactions and advice in what is a bustling town centre.”

Other HSBC branches in North Wales including Rhyl, Denbigh, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno are not currently affected by the changes.

HSBC is expected to close all 82 branches between April and September, bringing its total number of branches to 511.

“Giving more and better options to enable customers to manage their finances, including self-service, has uncovered a latent demand," said Jackie Uhi, HSBC UK’s head of network.

"The direction of travel is really quite clear and this is borne out by the reduction in branch usage and increase in digital interaction that we are seeing first-hand.

"In recent years we have introduced more digital options to make our customers’ lives easier - depositing cheques or putting a temporary block on a card, for example – and we know that customers are becoming more comfortable primarily using online and mobile banking to take control of their finances."