Details of the face to face service available to customers of Barclays following the Lancaster branch closure next month have been revealed.
Related stories:
Lancaster high street branch of Barclays bank to close
The bank say they will provide a face to face service at the Royal Kings Arms Hotel, six days a week, from Monday April 29, after the branch closes on April 25.
The service at the venue on Market Street will operate Monday-Friday 10am - 4.30pm, and Saturdays 11am – 4:30pm (apart from 1:30-2pm).
The new service will be offering face to face financial support and education for customers, without the need to travel, including assistance with everyday finances and money management, free digital skills workshops and fraud and scams awareness events for the community.
As the replacement service is a cashless site, everyday banking transactions, including cash deposits and withdrawals, will need to be completed at a local Post Office.
Lancaster MP, Cat Smith said although she welcomed the new service, it didn’t go far enough.
‘’It is clear that this is not an adequate replacement for a proper branch,’’ she said.
‘’Anyone who uses a Post Office regularly knows that this can be easier said than done, as the Post Office is increasingly being relied upon to plug the gap when services like these disappear from our high streets, making their branches ever busier while, at the same time, many of these branches are themselves being closed or cut back.
‘’While I am disappointed, regrettably I am not surprised. The number of bank and building society branches in the UK is now less than half what it was in 2015, with Barclays closing the most branches.
‘’While the banking lobby argues that cash is now ‘only’ used for 14% of all payments so is increasingly unimportant, but this still represents a significant amount of money changing hands and a great many people relying on cash to go about their daily life. While everyday banking practices have undoubtedly changed, I remain of the belief that physical bank branches have an important role to play in our communities.’’
‘’I will continue to speak out to defend our local services at every opportunity and I am grateful to everyone who got in touch to support me on this.’’
A spokesperson for Barclays said: ‘’ “Barclays is committed to deploying a range of more flexible ways that customers can physically interact with the bank.
‘’This now includes over 330 pop-up banking sites located in town and city centres in spaces such as community centres, libraries, and business hubs where it offers drop in and pre-booked appointments.”
The Morecambe branch of Barclays closed in 2020 and the Lancaster University branch shut in 2021.
The Carnforth branch shut in 2022, with Barclays instead opening a limited service at the Royal Station Hotel in the town after huge public opposition.
Luxury house prize draw raises £4.5m towards Eden Project Morecambe
Champion of Parkinson's sport and Morecambe FC receives MBE
Frontierland developer search "in its final stages"
Tour de France and Eden Project among priorities as Lancaster City Council sets out two-year vision
Crews called to fire at Midland Hotel in Morecambe
Morecambe man charged with house burglary and possession of knife in public
City set for busy weekend with Pride, Lancaster Day, music festival and World Cup kick-off
International Market to return to Morecambe Promenade
Up to 93 new homes near Lancaster recommended for green light despite hundreds of objections
Public invited to official launch of revamped Lancaster tennis courts
Plans to revamp former Lancaster antiques centre recommended for green light
Parents in Lancaster and Morecambe warned of ‘potential dangers’ after unsafe squishy toys seized
M6 closed near Lancaster due to jack-knifed HGV
LISTEN: Lancaster men's mental health champion speaks out during awareness month
Update on building safety work at ex-social club as Lancaster pub set to reopen
Gaming centre opens its doors in Lancaster
How you can help shape future development in the Lancaster district
Morecambe Car Club rally recognising Illuminations tradition pays tribute to former winner
Lancaster children's nursery garden smashed up by vandals
Lancaster war hero back home after D-Day commemoration in Normandy
