Another one bites the dust.

The Rayleigh branch of Barclays Bank is set to close its shutters for the final time this week.

Echo: New - the first Barclays branch opened in Rayleigh in1897 but it was a far cry from the modern branch that opened in 1968New - the first Barclays branch opened in Rayleigh in1897 but it was a far cry from the modern branch that opened in 1968 (Image: Newsquest)

The bank – the last Barclays in Rayleigh – will close on Friday.

It seems that every week there’s another announcement of a bank branch closing due to more customers now banking online.

Echo: Strong - the Barclays branch was made from reinforced concrete and doors with stainless steel framesStrong - the Barclays branch was made from reinforced concrete and doors with stainless steel frames (Image: Newsquest)

However, before a time of apps, smart phones and ATMs – and when you actually had to physically go to the bank to pay in money or draw out cash – here are some nostalgic photos from our archive that show what the branch looked like when it opened in 1968.

Echo: Plush - the new Barclays in Rayleigh in 1968 had nine tills made out of teak with panels of green vinylPlush - the new Barclays in Rayleigh in 1968 had nine tills made out of teak with panels of green vinyl (Image: Newsquest)

A unique feature of the modern branch – based in the High Street – was the sleek escalators which whisked customers up to the ‘banking hall’.

There was also a ‘bandit proof’ walk up window till’ at pavement level where customers could go in order to quickly cash a cheque.

Echo: Feature - the sleek escalatorsFeature - the sleek escalators (Image: Newsquest)