The Cheltenham Bath Road branch of HSBC is set to close as part of a streamlining of the bank's branch network.

The banking giant has confirmed that 27 branches will close in 20202, taking its UK network to 594.

There will be a £34million investment in existing branches to bring them up to date with the latest technology - with Cheltenham's Promenade branch on the list for a refurbishment.

While no date has been given for the closure of the Bath Road branch, the bank have announced it will be in 2020.

The branch, which is opposite Cheltenham College on the corner of Bath Road and Suffolk Road is on the ground floor of offices occupied by Cheltenham Festivals.

But with the bank saying that the number of customers using UK branches falling by as much as a third, and 90 per cent of customer contact done over the phone or online, closures are necessary.

Stuart Haire, HSBC UK's Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, said: "Retaining a sustainable branch network is extremely important to us and we need to ensure it is fit for the future.

"But, the way our customers bank with us has changed significantly over the last five to ten years, and that change is something we cannot ignore.

"In the financial services industry many more customers are using mobile and internet banking than ever before, also interacting with us on social media over 85,000 times in the last 12 months. The upshot is that significantly fewer people are using our branches.

"The decision to close these branches will help to ensure a sustainable branch network for the future and allow us to continue to invest in it, as illustrated by the improvement to 49 branches in 2020, along with the continuing investments in our people and digital platforms.

"Our priority is now to work closely with our colleagues and customers. We will write to all affected customers to advise them of local alternatives, as well as offering them 1-2-1 sessions to help explain their options or provide help in setting up mobile or internet banking.

"By the end of 2020, HSBC UK will still have a large network of branches in the UK and will remain well positioned to serve its customers."

The confirmed list of branch closures: 

Bristol Bedminster, Leigh-on-Sea, London Park Royal, Chingford, Swindon Old Town, Kensington High Street to close on 3 July 2020.

Blaby, Peterlee, Leigh Bradshawgate, Chard, Wallasey, Royston, Pudsey to close on 10 July 2020.

Croydon Wellesley Road, Saffron Walden, Tiverton, Ely, Pembroke to close on 31 July 2020.

Other closures closing later in 2020: London Greenwich, London Regent Street, Redhill, Thetford, Sheffield Broomhill, Bourne, Cheltenham Bath Road, Coventry Corporation Street, Heswall.

The confirmed list of branch refurbishments taking place in the first half of 2020

: East Ham; Croydon North End; Ealing Broadway; Stratford Upon Avon; Hammersmith; Carmarthen; Lewisham; Cheltenham Promenade; Blackburn; Wembley; Bristol Kingswood; Wigan; Corby; 122 Finchley Road; Alton; Cardiff Rhyd y Penau; Castleford; Hinckley; Lowestoft; Lymington; Ormskirk; Ramsgate; Saxmundham; Welshpool; Witney.