POWYS will have only one branch of Barclays Bank remaining from August, after the financial giant announced one of the remaining two is to close in three months.
Barclays in Brecon, located at The Bulwark in the town centre, will shut its doors on Friday, August 25 – leaving the only Barclays branch in Powys in Builth Wells.
Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones is set to meet with Barclays representatives following their decision.
The news follows a number of Barclays and other bank closures across Powys already in the last two years – Barclays branches in Newtown and Welshpool shut within one month of each other last September, while chiefs closed the Llandrindod Wells location in August 2021 – and will no doubt unsettle those who use the bank regularly.
Banking has of course changed dramatically in the last decade, with more and more people using online or mobile banking, but while the Conservative MP says she does recognise this, she says will press Barclays to ensure they are working with all customers to help make them aware of changes and the new ways in which they can access their money.
“Disappointing news for many from Barclays today as they announce the closure of their branch on The Bulwark in Brecon,” said Ms Jones.
“This does follow a number of branch closures so far this year and will no doubt unsettle many of those who use the bank regularly.
“However, it is important to recognise that banking is changing. Barclays now needs to work with customers to make them aware of new ways in which to access their cash and I will be meeting with them in order to emphasise the importance of this.
“Rather than promise false hope about retaining the branch, I will be working to ensure nobody is left behind.”
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In a four-page booklet available online about the Brecon closure, entitled ‘We’re closing, but it’s not goodbye’, Barclays said: “Back when we opened this branch, visiting us in person was one of the only ways to do your banking.
“Now, as there are lots of ways to manage your money without even leaving your home, we’re seeing many customers choosing to bank using our app, and online or telephone banking.
“This has had a big impact on the number of customers coming in to see us.
“We want to reassure you that we’re here to help. We’ll stay in your community and you’ll be able to talk to us in person.
“We’re finalising the details of where we’ll be based, and when, to support you with your banking, and we‘ll share the details locally once confirmed.”
High street banks have been closing with huge regularity in recent years, especially in Powys, where many big-name banks have retained a sense of presence with mobile facilities or banking pod services available at places like community centres, libraries and post offices.
Barclays insisted last September that its Broad Street branch in Builth would remain open for the foreseeable future, releasing a statement that said: “Our branch network is constantly reviewed, but there are no current plans to close Barclays in Builth Wells.”
The branch does already operate at reduced hours compared to previous years – it is shut completely on Thursdays and Saturdays and is open from 9.30am-2.30pm Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and from 10am-2.30pm on Wednesdays.
In February this year a Barclays spokesman reiterated that there was no change regarding the future of the Builth branch, despite locals persistently hearing rumours that closure is inevitable.
More than half of banks in Montgomeryshire have closed since 2015, while in Brecon and Radnorshire the malaise runs even deeper.
According to figures up to the end of April 2022, nine banks in Montgomeryshire have shut since the start of 2015, leaving eight remaining.
Further south, three in five Brecon and Radnorshire banks have closed over the same period.
Once the Brecon Barclays branch cashes in, there will be 14 total bank branches left in Powys.
Where there are banks left in Powys
- Lloyds Bank – Newtown, Welshpool, Llandrindod, Presteigne, Brecon
- Nationwide – Newtown
- Santander – Newtown, Brecon
- NatWest – Newtown, Brecon
- HSBC – Newtown, Llandrindod, Brecon
- Barclays – Builth, Brecon (closing August 25, 2023)
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