Pilot scheme to keep last bank on high street open

Barclays is today launching a trial in Pickering to try and keep the last bank branch in town open on the high street.

Ten pilot branches across the UK will take part in the trial, beginning with Pickering, North Yorkshire, and Yarm in Teesside.

It will see Barclays work with customers and communities differently to help make their branches more relevant for them. Local branch managers will be re-instated, investment made in the look and feel of the branch premises, and a change of opening hours to include Saturdays will begin.

Richard Smalley, Head of Barclays Local, UK, said: “In Pickering, we believe there is real appetite among businesses and the local community to support us in keeping the branch open, while acknowledging many customers are choosing alternative ways to undertake their banking such as mobile, online and telephony services.

“In order to keep the Pickering branch open, we’re asking the community to get behind us and speak to us for more information.

“We also understand customers want to manage their finances in different ways at different times. That’s why we’re planning to have specialists available in the pilot branches to support people with more complex financial needs such as buying a home, starting or growing a business, saving for university and planning for retirement.

“Our ambition is to work in direct partnership with the town to keep local branch based banking sustainable over the long term.”

Cheryl Chappell, who lives in Pickering, has been appointed in a newly created branch manager role said she was looking forward to welcoming both new and existing customers.

Barclays Digital Eagles will be available on Saturdays, offering activities such as helping to raise awareness of the skills to stay safe in a digital age, alongside colleague-led seminars to assist with ongoing financial management planning.

Kevin Hollinrake MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: “I’m pleased Barclays is not only retaining the last bank in Pickering but are also tailoring its services to meet local needs. This is excellent news for Pickering high street and I hope the local community support Barclays to help secure its long-term future.”

Other initiatives Barclays is considering to support customer’s banking needs include introducing a more flexible presence or ‘pop-up’ locations enabling Barclays to have a presence in offices, universities and colleges, community centres and more rural communities, in line with the changing demands of where customers choose to do their banking.