A Wokingham bank is to close in August, weeks after NatWest pulled out of the town centre.
Barclays has announced its intentions to cease operations from its Market Place branch, but it is promising to set up a banking hub, called Barclays Local, as a replacement.
This will be for appointments such as meetings, rather than cash transactions. For these, the bank is pointing people to the Post Office in WHSmith.
There are already more than 200 Barclays Local hubs operating across the country, and are established in libraries, community centres and shopping centres. They will be able to offer financial reviews, balance checks, transfers and bill payments, and support with digital banking.
While the Woodley branch closed two years ago, branches remain in Bracknell and Reading.
The final day for the Wokingham branch of Barclays will be on Friday, August 18.
The company says the closure is a result of changes to customer habits, and fewer than 10 customers exclusively rely on the branch for their banking needs, while just 10% of transactions take place inside a branch.
Instead, the firm says people are using mobile phone apps, telephone and online services, and even video banking.
For those customers who aren’t used to such methods, Barclays is planning to hold virtual tea and teach sessions.
No redundancies are planned as a direct result of the closure.
In addition to the Post Office services, Barclays says free-to-use cash machines will be available in Lloyds Bank and HSBC. There is also a machine in Nationwide on Broad Street.
A Barclays spokesperson said: “Our customers’ behaviour has changed significantly in recent years, with the majority now choosing online banking.
“This is reflected at Wokingham branch and as we adapt, we are finding new ways to support our customers by maintaining our community presence with options for customers who still require in-person support.”
They continued: “In Wokingham we plan to open a Barclays Local – a pop-up cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support, as they would in a branch and without the need to travel.
“We are currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location and will announce details once confirmed.”
