Campaigners in Barnard Castle have been left furious after Barclays made the decision to close its branch in the town - months earlier than initially expected.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the bank would be closing the town’s Market Place branch on September 11 - ahead of the previously announced date of on or before January 17, 2025.
The initial closure confirmation came in February when Barclays cited how only 28 customers used the site regularly as the only way to do their banking.
The Barnard Castle branch is the last bank remaining in Teesdale.
At the time, councillors from both sides of party lines called for a public meeting following a “great deal of anger and concern”.
Deputy Town Mayor Chris Foote-Wood said in April that talks were underway to establish a “banking hub” in the town.
However, campaigners for the hub have now expressed their dismay at the decision, which has made it “virtually impossible” to set the hub up before Barclays pulls out of the town for good.
In a joint statement, Cllr Foote-Wood and county councillors Ted Henderson and Richard Bell said: “We are utterly dismayed at Barclays' decision to close at 12pm on September 11, making it virtually impossible for a banking hub to be set up in time.
"This will leave the whole of Teesdale and other rural areas without personal banking services.
“It will also mean the loss of our only 24-hour ATM cash machine, causing inconvenience not only for locals but also for visitors and tourists who visit the dale in their tens of thousands throughout the year.
"Barclays and LINK, the organisation that recommends banking hubs, need to explain why they have approved no fewer than five bank hubs elsewhere in County Durham while refusing one for Barnard Castle".
Plan for cashless Barclays Local
The bank plans to soon open a Barclays local, a cashless site where people can meet colleagues face-to-face for banking support.
These have popped up in various towns that have lost their banks in recent years.
Campaigners wanted to set up a banking hub in the town, which would allow all the major banks to set up a personal service in one location.
The Northern Echo understands that Barnard Castle is too small based on criteria to be recommended as a standalone hub and that it has been recommended a deposit service to support small businesses.
Chris Ashton, Chief Commercial Officer at LINK, said: “The Post Office continues to play an important role on the high street.
“The addition of a dedicated counter for banking customers paid for by the banks will help it support more customers on a day-to-day basis."
A Barclays spokesperson added: “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.
Recommended reading:
- Mark Benton films new show Smoggie Queens in Middlesbrough
- River Island set to open in Newcastle's former Topshop
- Bishop Auckland historical spectacular Kynren wins Tripadvisor award
Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Get access for just £1.50 a week. Click here.
“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.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel