A sign has now been displayed outside a County Durham Barclays branch confirming it will be closing for good next year.

Barclays in Barnard Castle will pull down the shutters for the last time on January 17, 2025 as the company announces a string of 20 closures of branches across the country.

This news comes as the business previously promised the branch would stay open, and customers wishing to bank in person will now need to visit Barclays in Darlington and Bishop Auckland.

The sign reads: "We're changing the way we support you in Barnard Castle. We'll still be part of your community, look out for more details coming soon."

The Northern Echo: Sign at Barclays, Barnard Castle.Sign at Barclays, Barnard Castle. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

In their reasons for closing the branch, a Barclays spokesperson said: "Back when we opened this branch, visiting us in person was one of the only ways to do your banking.

"Now, as there are lots of ways to manage your money without even leaving your home, we’re seeing many customers choosing to bank using our app, and Online or Telephone Banking.

"This has had a big impact on the number of customers coming in to see us."

The Northern Echo: Barclays, Barnard Castle.Barclays, Barnard Castle. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Recommended:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a Premium Plus Digital Subscription for as little as £1.50 a week. Click here.

Currently, only 28 customers use the branch regularly as the only way to do their banking; 87 per cent of the branch's customers also use the app, online, and phone service to bank; and 21 per cent of the branch's customers have visited nearby branches in the last 12 months. 

Four years ago, Barclays committed to keeping a total of 105 last-in-town and remote branches open until at least October 2021. 

Since this date, they have shut the Middleton-in-Teesdale branch and earmarked the Barnard Castle branch for closure too.

A Barclays spokesperson said: “As visits to branches continue to fall, with the majority of people preferring to bank online, we need to adapt to provide the best service for all our customers. This is reflected at Barnard Castle where we are delivering new ways to support our customers and the community with options for those who need in-person services.”

“In Barnard Castle we plan to open a Barclays Local – a cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support, as they would in a branch and without the need to travel. We are currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location and will announce details once confirmed.”