Barclays has announced an additional 15 branches are set to close this year, bringing the total number of closures in 2023 to 26.
Last year, Barclays closed 184 branches - the second highest of all the banks, with Lloyds Banking Group (which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland) shutting 186 sites.
It's worth noting that there could be more branch closure announcements from Barclays, as the current list of closures are all set to take place before April.
Here, Which? takes a closer look at which branches are closing, and what measures are in place to protect cash access.
Which Barclays branches are closing in 2023?
The table below shows the locations of all Barclays branches due to close in 2023. You can use the search bar to see if your local branch is affected:
Here are the locations of the Barclays branches that closed or were due to close in 2022.
Why are these branches closing?
Barclays said its customers' behaviour has changed significantly in recent years, with more people choosing to bank online.
On the recent closures, a Barclays spokesman told Which?: 'As we adapt, we are closing less well-used branches, while investing in brilliant customer service and digital technology.
'We are maintaining our community presence with alternative options for customers who still require in-person support. This includes our network of Barclays Local sites in libraries and community centres, bank pods and mobile vans, our cashback without purchase service, Shared Banking Hubs and everyday banking at the Post Office.'
- Find out more: best and worst banks
Which other banks are closing in 2023?
Barclays isn't the only bank to announce closures in 2023. Almost all major high street banks have sites earmarked for closure, and more could follow.
HSBC is due to close 114 sites this year, and NatWest is due to close 43 branches.
Lloyds Banking Group has revealed 19 closures for 2023 (14 Lloyds Bank, and five Halifax sites). TSB will close nine branches, Santander will close five sites and Nationwide has one bank scheduled to close.
To find out whether your local bank branch is closing, or has recently closed, our bank branch closure checker tool shows the branches shutting down in your local authority area.
Which banks closed the most branches in 2022?
Lloyds Banking Group announced the most branches last year, with 186 announced. This was closely followed by Barclays, with 184 branches:
- Barclays: 184
- Danske Bank: 4
- HSBC: 70
- Lloyds Group (includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland): 186
- NatWest (including Royal Bank of Scotland sites): 83
- Nationwide: 22
- Metro Bank: 3
- Santander: 1
- TSB: 70
Find out more: is your local bank branch closing?
Why cash still matters
Cash is the second most frequently-used method of payment in the UK. Used by 5.4 million adults, it also provides a lifeline for vulnerable groups.
In fact, cash usage increased for the first time in 13 years in 2022, according to data from Nationwide Building Society. There were 30.2m cash withdrawals from Nationwide ATMs last year - a 19% increase compared to 2021.
Research by Which? last year found cash can be a useful budgeting tool for households during the cost of living crisis, and people in remote areas may not have reliable broadband or mobile connectivity for digital payments.
It's also a vital lifeline for the elderly, who are more likely to visit bank branches in person.
What's being done to protect access to cash?
Here are some of the cash solutions that have been announced or put in place since our campaign began:
Legislation announced in Queen’s Speech
First announced in the Queen’s Speech in May last year, the forthcoming legislation will ensure people can continue to conveniently withdraw and deposit cash. This will be monitored and enforced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
However, the Scottish Affairs Committee of MPs has accused banks of 'rushing to close [branches] before legislation to protect access to cash and banking services can take effect'.
With its new powers, the FCA could stop banks and building societies from closing cash access services if there was no suitable alternative within a reasonable distance.
Which? is pushing for there to be a requirement that access to cash is free.
Reviews by LINK to commission new cash services
In December 2021, the Cash Action Group (CAG) announced that any community facing the closure of a core cash service, such as a bank branch or ATM, will trigger an independent review by Link.
Link will determine whether a new solution should be provided and will have the power to commission services, such as a shared banking hub or better Post Office services, to meet the cash needs of the community as a whole – not just the customers of one bank or building society.
Out of the 15 new closures revealed by Barclays, one banking hub has been recommended in Barnoldswick, Lancashire, and a deposit service has been recommended in Keswick, a market town in the Lake District National Park.
- Find out more: access to cash solutions - are they enough?
Post Office services
Since January 2020, customers of certain banks have been able to use Post Office branches to withdraw and deposit cash in their accounts and make balance queries. Most banks will also allow you to deposit cheques.
This service, described as a 'lifeline' by the Post Office, means that people can still access essential services, even if their local bank branch has shut.
The service will run until December 2025, after a new agreement was signed with 30 banks in February.
- Find out more: Post Office will offer banking services for 30 banks
Cashback without purchase
This initiative allows people to request cashback at the till in their local convenience store, without needing to make a purchase or pay a fee. It became possible last summer after a change in legislation.
A commercial scheme, operated by LINK, was rolled out at the end of 2021 and is available in 2,000 stores.
You can find out where this service is on offer by using LINK's cash locator on its website or mobile app. Just type in your location, and search for the orange symbols which state 'CT'.
Barclays also offers a cashback without purchase scheme, which allows businesses with a Barclaycard Payments terminal to offer customers from any bank up to £100 per day without needing to make a purchase. Unlike ATMs, you can also receive coins. Participating businesses should have a 'cashback without purchase' sticker displayed in the window - so keep a look out.
- Find out more: cashback without purchase expands
This article was first published on 30 May 2022 and has been updated since then. It was last updated on 18 January to reflect 15 further branch closures.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/barclays-to-close-26-further-bank-branches-in-2023-akhJO3I4TLk1