Barclays Bank has announced plans to close several branches across the UK in early 2025, continuing a trend of reducing its physical presence aimed at a shift towards online banking.
The closures will affect at least six locations, including the shuttering of 99 branches throughout 2024 and 2025.
The decision follows the closure of 177 branches in 2023, reflecting a significant transformation in how the bank operates.
List of Barclays Bank branches to close in 2025
- Barnard Castle – 1 Market Place, England, DL12 8NF – January 17, 2025
- Cockermouth – 30 Main Street, England, CA13 9LQ – January 17, 2025
- Pickering – 41 Market Place, England, YO18 7AE – January 17, 2025
- Tredegar – 21-22 Castle Street, Wales, NP22 3DF – January 17, 2025
- Ystrad Mynach – 27 Bedwlwyn Road, Wales, CF82 7AA – January 17, 2025
- St Neots – 41 High Street, England, PE19 1AS – January 30, 2025
- Borehamwood – 197 Shenley Road, England, WD6 1AR – TBC
A Barclays spokesperson said, “A decision to close a branch is never easy and we appreciate it might not be welcome news, but we’ll make sure you still have access to our banking services.”
The affected branches are set to close between January 17 and January 30, 2025. Locations include Barnard Castle, Cockermouth, Pickering, Tredegar, Ystrad Mynach, and St Neots.
Barclays cited declining foot traffic and an increasing preference for digital banking as primary reasons for these closures. A spokesperson stated, “Where there is no longer enough demand to support a branch, we maintain an in-person presence through our Barclays Local Network,” which includes mobile units and pop-up banking sites in community locations like libraries.
Consumer advocacy groups have expressed concern over the impact of these closures on customers who rely on face-to-face banking services. Sam Richardson, deputy of which? remarked, “While some may hardly notice the closure of their local branch…for others reliant on face-to-face services, the impact can be disastrous.”
Although, Barclays is implementing alternative services to support affected customers. These include mobile banking units that travel to various locations in England and Wales, as well as partnerships with local community centres to provide essential banking services. The bank has also introduced a cashback service without purchase requirements and extended access through ATMs and Post Office collaborations.
The trend of bank closures is not unique to Barclays; over 6000 bank branches have closed across the UK since 2015. Other banks like NatWest and Lloyds have also significantly reduced their physical footprints in response to changing consumer behaviours. As more customers shift towards digital transactions, questions about access to cash and essential banking services remain critical.
The experts explained: “If you no longer want to stay with Lloyds, Halifax, or Bank of Scotland, you might want to consider switching to a bank that does have a local branch nearby—though bear in mind there’s no guarantee that too won’t close.”
