Barclays to close branch in Blackpool

The bank at Asda in Cherry Tree Road is to close on February 5 and staff have been offered alternative jobs at other branches.

The company said that changes in the way people do their banking, using mobile phones and online systems meant that customer numbers dropped. It said fewer than 10 per cent of transactions now taking place inside a branch.

The closure is part of a set of 60 announced by the firm around ten weeks ago and as well as at Cherry tree Road, branches at Lancaster University and in Leyland at Balfour Court are to shut their doors on January 29 and 22 respectively.

A Barclays spokesman said: “The decision to close a branch is never an easy one.

“However, customers are increasingly using alternatives to branches to do their banking. As a result, we are seeing a sustained fall in branch visits across the UK.

“This is reflected at Leyland (33 per cent), Lancaster University (29 per cent) and Blackpool Cherry Tree Road (9 per cent) branches where there has been a reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020.

“In addition, around nine in 10 customers at these branch are also using different ways to bank.

“We will work with our customers and provide alternative options to ensure they can continue to manage their money and receive financial expertise when required.”

Barclays said people can instead use the Barclays app, telephone banking, online banking or video banking. Everyday transactions can be completed at Post Offices, such as Daggers Hall Lane.

The bank said it would liaise with its local businesses customers during the transition and all customers visiting the branch would be notified of the change. It added that there were cash machines nearby in the Asda store itself, and at Home Bargains which were free to use.

Consumer group Which? said Banks and building societies closed (or scheduled the closure) of 3,770 branches since January 2015.