Barclays shuts doors on 36 branches
A big high street bank, Barclays, has reportedly closed 36 branches since August, with more to follow. The closures are part of a trend of major banks moving their services online.
Doors close on more branches
Yesterday, four branches of Barclays closed, and two more are set to close next week. This follows the closure of the Southampton and Newark branches on August 17. The Falmouth, Camrbdieg, Hemsworth, and Lichfield branches have closed, and the Bournemouth and Pontefract branches will close by September 22. Redditch, Bude, Hanover Square in London, and Charing Cross in London will also be permanently closed on September 29.
Impact on customers
The closures will make it more difficult for many, especially the elderly, to access essential banking services. However, there are still alternative options available.
Accessing banking services
Customers affected by the closures can perform basic banking tasks at their local Post Office. Additionally, many banks offer mobile banking services where a bus with branch services is brought to local areas. Banks also utilize buildings such as village halls or libraries to provide mobile banking services. Banking hubs, offering shared services, have been set up in various locations across the UK.
Millions living without bank branches
As thousands of bank branches are being axed across the country, it has been revealed that over 2.2 million customers have to travel long distances for face-to-face services. Approximately 23 constituencies in the UK have had all of their bank branches closed down, earning the country the nickname "banking desert."
"It is a banking desert in many ways," said former NatWest executive and banking campaigner Derek French. "People now must go to a city or a large town. That used to be a reasonable mileage away, but now the large town might have lost its banks and people have to go 20 or 30 miles or more to their nearest branch."
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