Barclays to permanently close three local branches

Barclays has announced that it will permanently close its high street branches in Glossop, Buxton and Marple this summer. 

The branch on High Street East in Glossop will close on Wednesday 25 August, when the nearest available branch will become Arcades Shopping Centre in Ashton. 

The branch at The Quadrant in Buxton will shut its doors for the final time on Friday 27 August. Thereafter, the nearest branch available to customers will be Market Place in Macclesfield. 

The branch on Hollins Lane in Marple will close on Friday 20 August and the next nearest branch will be Bridge Street in Stockport. 

It's understood that staff were informed of the forthcoming closures earlier this month, and customers are to be told by letter and/or e-mail on Friday (21 May). 

Barclays say it does not intend to make any staff redundant as a result, and staff will be offered alternative roles in the bank. 

The bank adds that the decision to close the three branches for good is based on the fact that the role of the physical branch is evolving, with fewer than 10 per cent of transactions now taking place inside a branch. 

A spokesperson for Barclays told the Chronicle: "The decision to close a branch is never an easy one. However, customers are increasingly using alternatives to branches to do their banking. As a result, we are seeing a sustained fall in branch visits across the UK.

"This is reflected at Glossop, Buxton and Marple branches, where over four-fifths of our customers at these branches are also using different ways to bank.

"We will work with our customers and provide alternative options to ensure they can continue to manage their money and receive financial expertise when required." 

High Peak MP Robert Largan said the decision was "disappointing" but "doesn't exactly come as a surprise". 

He said: "This is disappointing, especially with all the additional investment going into both town centres. However, it doesn’t exactly come as a surprise given the trend of banks closing their high street branches over the last few years as more and more people move to online banking.

"I am glad Barclays have confirmed they don’t intend to make any redundancies as a result of these closures. Everyone will still have access to nearby cash machines and be able to undertake everyday transactions at the Post Office.

"I know some residents who don’t use telephone or internet banking may be worried. I have asked Barclays to provide these customers with extra support to ensure they continue to access all the services they currently use once the branches have closed.

"If you are one of the people impacted by these closures, do get in touch with me and I will do what I can to provide assistance and support.

"Crucially, I want to make sure these properties are not left vacant. These sites could be big opportunities for new businesses in the centre of both Glossop and Buxton." 

Read more from the Glossop Chronicle

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper