After the shattering news of two bank branch closures, Barclays has pledged to maintain a regular presence in both Bedale and Leyburn, and this week Prime Minister and Richmond MP Rishi Sunak called for assurances that customers affected will be given comprehensive help to use services.
Bedale will close on April 26 and Leyburn on May 5. Barclays says the Bedale branch is used by just 17 regular customers and Leyburn branch by 19.
Mr Sunak has welcomed Barclays’ pledge to maintain a regular presence in both towns but said he wanted to know how the bank will provide adequate support to affected customers.
He said: “I want to make sure that the bank is doing all it can to mitigate the difficulties it may cause some customers who are used to doing all their banking by visiting a physical branch. I will be asking Barclays to provide one-to-one mentoring to individuals who need the most help to adjust and also that the community venue they choose to host the replacement service is convenient and accessible.”
Barclays’ say branches in Northallerton and Richmond are remaining open. In a letter to customers they said the closure of branches is never easy and the company appreciated it may not be welcome news. “But we will make sure your local community continue to have access to our banking services when you need them, it will just be in a different way,” the letter said.
Read more: Fury over closure of last banks in the Dales
“We will still be part of your community in Bedale, we are just finalising the details of when and where we will be based to support you with your banking. In the meantime we are keen to hear what you think and will be speaking to customers, the local MP, councils, charities and community support groups, over the coming weeks to hear any thoughts and feedback on this change for us to respond to.”
Barclays urged customers to talk to staff in banks and said it will share feedback two weeks before the closure.
Nationally as part of “Barclays Local” the bank says it plans to launch a string of “banking pods” which can be moved depending on demand. Ten are due to be rolled out by summer along with another six electric vehicle banking vans for its existing fleet of ten which are used to reach customers in remote locations.
Jo Mayer, head of Everyday Banking at Barclays, said: “As visits to branches continue to fall, we need to reimagine where and how we show up to provide the best service for customers now and in the future.
“Our new banking pods and community pop-ups help tailor our in-person support for each location, including support with digital skills. In areas where we close a branch, we will maintain our presence in that community, offering an alternative face-to-face solution.”
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 here