Residents in a small dales town can continue to use in-person banking services with the launch of a new community space.

Barclays staff will be based at the Durham Dales Centre, in Stanhope, from this week.

The centre is owned by Durham County Council and managed by the council’s business support service, Business Durham.

It offers a range of services, including tourist information and business office space, as well as attractions for visitors, including a tearoom, gardens, and gift shop.

Read more: Barclays 2023 Bank closures: Bedale branch to be shut down

But now Barclays customers can access a new community banking space, located in the interview room within the Dales Centre shop.

It will provide a range of in-person services, such as help and support, from the bank’s staff, three days each week, with banners displayed at the shop outlining the space’s opening times.

Councillor John Shuttleworth, the council’s cabinet member for rural communities, highways, and community safety, welcomed the new facility.

“We’re pleased that we’ve been able to utilise the flexibility of space within the Durham Dales Centre to enable this new community banking space for Barclays customers in Weardale.

“As a rural area, many residents use in-person services related to their bank, so we have worked collaboratively with Barclays to make this space available, so it can continue offering some of these services.”

Geoff Watson, the bank’s customer care director, said: “Barclays is committed to deploying a range of more flexible ways in which customers can physically interact with the bank.

Read more: New 'hub' project could return high street banks back to County Durham

“This includes over 200 pop-up banking sites located in town centres, plus presence in spaces such as community centres, libraries and business hubs where it offers drop-in and pre-booked appointments.

“We’re delighted we’ve been able to agree the replacement banking service here in Stanhope.

Read next:

* Calls for banks to team up in rural sites

* Bank pledge that Dales branch is not in danger

* Money Saving Expert issues advice amid Lloyds and Halifax branches closures

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“It represents our commitment to customers and the local community who wish to continue to have an in-person banking presence.

"It offers the ability to visit Barclays on their local high street, albeit in a different environment.”

The community space will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10am until 4.30pm.