Building society to open in town ‘abandoned’ by banks

Newcastle Building Society has revealed plans for a new branch in Pickering, North Yorkshire

The full-service branch arriving later this year will offer access to cash, financial services and advice.

Despite banks closing more than 6,000 branches across the UK in recent years, Newcastle Building Society says it is opening a new branch in Pickering as part of its commitment to growing its branch presence throughout the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria.

This comes just months after news that the last bank branch in Pickering will close, with Barclays citing falling customer usage and increased preference for digital banking behind its decision to shut in January 2025.

The new Newcastle Building Society branch will include a OneBanx kiosk. It enables small businesses and personal customers of any bank that offers open banking to deposit and withdraw cash from their accounts.

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: “I am thrilled that Newcastle Building Society has now confirmed that it will be opening a branch in Pickering later this year.

“I recently met with Newcastle Building Society who currently have a financial advice centre in the town and the arrival of the new full-service branch will mean access to financial services, cash and deposits for my constituents in Pickering.”