Shoppers in Beeston say the planned closure of its Barclays bank is a "big blow" for the town. A letter has been sent out to customers announcing the branch in Chilwell Road will shut its doors for the final time on September 9 this year.
The bank say there has been a "sustained fall" in usage, a five percent reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020. For Barclays customers in Beeston, following the closure the nearest branch will be High Street, off Pelham Street and Long Row, in Nottingham city centre.
Graham Milward, 75, who lives in nearby Long Eaton, said: "What frustrates and worries me is that everything is done by card these days and I don't think that's a good thing. No-one uses cash anymore. I think it's good to have that balance between the two.
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"There are so many banks closing - I always like to go into a bank and speak to someone as I don't trust doing it all online." James Frazier, 38, from Beeston, told Nottinghamshire Live: "I think it's a big blow, not because I use it necessarily but I think a lot of people don't trust doing everything online, especially the older generation.
"It's not just used to get money out, they also give out advice, it's a service more than anything. If the closest one is in the city centre now, that's not very close is it? You can't really just nip there."
Keith and June Johnson, who have lived in Beeston for the past 38 years, were shocked to hear the branch would be closing. They said: "They're doing it everywhere. At one time it used to be a lot of banks here, now it's mostly charity shops and that kind of thing. It's a shame to see it is closing."
A Barclays spokesperson said: “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 the Beeston (branch) where there has been a 5 percent reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020. In addition, 87 percent of our customers at the branch 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. This includes working with the local community to find different, more flexible ways for our colleagues to continue to provide local banking support, such as through pop-up presences.”
The nearest ATM for customers to use in around 10 yards away from the branch. 161 regular customers use this branch exclusively for their banking and do not interact with Barclays in other ways. Barclays will be offering virtual ‘tea and teach’ sessions for customers and say they will still have an "active presence" in the community despite the closure.
Meanwhile, it comes after NatWest announced plans to close 32 branches of NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland branches with Nottingham earmarked to lose facilities. And Lloyds has announced the closure of two of its Nottingham banks.
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