Demonstration to 'mourn loss' of Barnard Castle Barclays

The national bank closed the doors for good at noon on Wednesday, September 11, in a move that left residents furious and councillors “utterly dismayed”. 

Barclays initially confirmed the September closure date in July, taking many by surprise after previously setting “on or before” January 17 as the final day for Teesdale’s last bank. 

Working Party Cllrs Chris Foote-Wood, Ted Henderson, and Richard Bell previously said the move made things “virtually impossible” to set up a banking hub in the town - and organised a second public meeting. 

A demonstration was held outside the bank, where several people held signs stating "Town and Dale need a bank" and "Barclays betrayed Barney". 

A demonstration was held outside the bank (Image: WORKING PARTY)

Barclays will launch its local service in the town on Monday, September 16, at the Council Offices, Woodleigh, Flatts Road. 

While services include financial reviews, balance requests, and the ability to open new accounts, the site will be cashless, with everyday transactions needing to be completed at a Post Office. 

Councillors have vowed to continue their campaign for a banking hub in the town which would provide full banking facilities from five major banks.

‘The fight continues’

Cllr Foote-Wood said: "Following our earlier protests, from Monday, September 16th Barclays will provide a weekly cashless 'mini bank', 10 am to 4 pm, at the town council offices in Barnard Castle where Barclays customers can have personal service from a bank official.

"We don't think this is enough, and a public meeting we called last week voted unanimously to continue our campaign for a Banking Hub with full banking facilities in Barnard Castle to give access to all major banks.

Barclays has closed its bank in Barnard Castle (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

"A few of us decided to hold a dignified demonstration to mourn the loss of Teesdale's last bank and to object to Barclays bringing forward the closure in advance of new rules that come into operation on September 18th that will prevent the closure of the 'last bank in town' until an alternative such as a Banking Hub can be set up. 

“We are hoping the new guidelines will remove any barrier to us having a Banking Hub.

"At a recent meeting with a senior official of Barclays, we were told that Barclays are fully in favour of a Banking Hub in Barney and would be interested in being one of the five banks operating one day a week, as they do now at the Newton Aycliffe Hub, and will do soon at four other towns in County Durham (Spennymoor, Stanley, Crook, and Ferryhill) where hubs have been approved. 

Barclays is set to close its Barnard Castle branch (left) and Cllrs Chris Foote-Wood, Richard Bell, and Ted Henderson (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO / SARAH CALDECOTT / DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)

“If they can have banking hubs, why can't Barnard Castle which is furthest from other towns and which serves a large rural area?

"The closure of Barclays has also resulted in the immediate loss of Teesdale's only 24-hour ATM cash machine. 

“We will also continue our fight for one or more 24-hour ATMs in Teesdale as residents and visitors often need cash when shops with indoor ATMs are closed.”

Barclays statement

As previously reported, 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 as a deposit service to support small businesses. 

A Barclays spokesperson said: “Barclays is committed to deploying a range of more flexible ways that customers can physically interact with the bank, this includes over 350 pop-up banking sites located in town centres, with a presence in spaces such as community centres, libraries and business hubs where it offers drop in and pre-booked appointments.

“We’re delighted we’re able to launch the replacement banking service in Barnard Castle. This represents our commitment to customers and the local community who wish to continue to have an in-person banking presence by offering the ability to visit Barclays on their local high street, albeit in a different environment.”

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Chris Ashton, Chief Commercial Officer at LINK, previously 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."

Colleagues will be available at the new Barclays Local on Mondays from 10am until 12.30pm and then from 1pm to 4pm.