People have voiced concerns that older people may be "left behind" after Barclays announced a Merseyside branch will close this year.
The banking giant announced that the St Helens branch would be permanently closed later this year, due to "significantly changing customer behaviour". Barclays also claimed that the St Helens bank has just 39 customers who use the branch exclusively, and do not interact with Barclays in other ways- such as online banking, with less than 10% of transactions now happening inside a branch.
Barclays added it is to open a Barclays Local – a pop-up 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”. There are no redundancies expected to be made as part of the closure in May.
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Despite the reported lack of footfall in-branch, some people have voiced their concerns about losing a local branch of their bank. Riaz Ahmed, 36, said: "It's a massive pain, I don't even know where the closest branch would be now, it will be a lot more difficult for older people who can't use online banking, it's like they're being left behind."
Elizabeth Cartledge added "It will mean a lot of people will go back to stuffing their mattress with cash."
Those living in Newton-le-Willows were hit with the news last year that there would be no banks left in the town at all. As a result, many of those wanting to deposit cash into their bank accounts would have to travel to the nearest branch outside the town- St Helens in most cases.
Now for those who bank with Barclays, this is made even more difficult. Denise Collins said: "It just seems like they're making it harder and harder to use the bank, it was hard enough when they closed down the Earlestown branch, now St Helens is shutting too."
Allyson Hulme said: "There won't be any branches left at all soon."
A Barclays spokesperson said: “Our customers’ behaviour has changed significantly in recent years, with the majority now choosing online banking.
“This is reflected at St Helens’ branch, and as we adapt, we are finding new ways to support our customers by maintaining our community presence with options for customers who still require in-person support.
“In St Helens we plan to open a Barclays Local – a pop-up 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.”
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