Barclays plans to close another 15 sites across the UK this summer, adding to the loss of hundreds of branches across the banking sector in 2023. The high street stalwart said it planned to close two locations in Northern Ireland, one in Wales and 12 in England, in July.
It brings the total of Barclays branches closing this year to 73. The banking industry has pointed to data showing that fewer people are using their branches to justify an increasing number of closures during recent years.
The pandemic also accelerated changes in how customers used banking services, with many learning for the first time how to bank from home. However, critics say some of the more vulnerable members of society – especially those in older age groups who are less confident on the internet – will be left without access to services they understand.
With the latest closure announcement from Barclays, high street branches have set out plans to shut 228 sites since the start of this year.
Barclays said: “As visits to branches continue to fall, we need to adapt to provide the best service for all our customers.
“Where there is no longer enough demand to support a branch, we maintain an in-person presence though our Barclays Local network, live in over 200 locations, based in libraries, town halls, mobile vans and our new banking pods.
“We also support access to cash with our cashback without purchase service, 24-hour deposit-taking ATMs and by working alongside the Post Office and Cash Access UK.”
