FORDINGBRIDGE’S town centre is set to receive a double blowwhammy as a long-standing family business and one of its bank branches close their doors.

C Harrison and Son, which has been trading in High Street for 76 years, closed today.

Caroline Harrison-Keen said it was a very difficult decision to close the shop, but the rise of the internet and large multiple shops had made trading more and more difficult over the years.

She said: “We will all be going our separate ways and on to our next experience in life. C Harrison and Son has seen four generations of the family involved in the business, and has thrived due to the loyalty of staff and customers over the years.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for your support and friendship during happy times and, unfortunately, some sad ones too.”

She added: “It is very sad for Fordingbridge.”

The town centre is also going to lose its Barclays bank branch in Salisbury Street, which will close on November 20.

Barclays community leader for Fordingbridge Chris Maynard said: “The way customers undertake their banking is changing as people increasingly use online, telephone and mobile devices. We must therefore evolve the shape and size of our branch network in response to changing customer behaviour.

“At Barclays' Fordingbridge branch, customer usage has continued to decline and more than 60 per cent of our customers now regularly use alternative branches, which is why we have taken the difficult decision to close the branch on 20th November 2015. This figure is higher for business customers.

Mr Maynard added: “Our colleagues at the Barclays Fordingbridge branch have been consulted about the change and will be given the opportunity to work at a nearby branch.

“We hope the availability of alternative branches including Ringwood and access to services at the local Post Office in Fordingbridge, along with our range of digital channels will help to ease the transition for our customers as we move out of Fordingbridge branch."

“We do not take the decision to close any branch lightly and we are committed to adhering to the new UK Government protocol on branch closures.” All of our customers will receive a letter, posters will be displayed in branch and colleagues will be on hand to assist customers with any concerns they may have.

“We will be proactively engaging with local businesses and the wider community to discuss the alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally, before the branch closes on 20th November 2015.”

Banking transactions such as cash withdrawals using debit cards, depositing cheques and cash can be done at the post office.

Mayor Councillor Malcolm Connolly added: “It is just indicative of the continuing erosion of not only Fordingbridge High Street but every high street you see.

"Barclays like a lot of other institutional organisations feels everybody operates online. We live in an area where the population is relatively mature and they don’t take kindly to banking online. I am sure lots of people will be wondering what to do about their banking.

He added: “The news that Harrison’s is closing will be greeted with dismay by many members of our community. The Harrison family have traded for 76 years and have built an enviable reputation, and the family – alongside their very helpful and long-serving staff – will be missed.

"As I have pleaded with our residents on many occasions, please use our local businesses whenever you can, it can be the difference between having their services or not.”