Barclays Bank has announced it is closing its branch in nearby Holmes Chapel in June.

The bank says customers' behaviour has changed "significantly" in recent years and the majority of its customers are now use on-line banking.

It says in total only 37 regular customers use the Holmes Chapel branch for their banking and they not intend to make anyone redundant as a direct result of the closure.

A Barclays spokesperson said the trend to on-line banking is continuing.

 "This is reflected at the Holmes Chapel 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 said.

"In Holmes Chapel, 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."

Barclays say in total, only 37 regular customers use the Holmes Chapel branch for their banking and they do not intend to make anyone redundant as a direct result of the closure.

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They say the role of the physical branch is evolving, with fewer than 10% of transactions now taking place inside a branch

Barclays say it's rolling out the largest network of community banking sites in the UK, providing customers with access to a colleague in settings such as libraries, community centres and shopping centres.

The spokesperson added: "Over 200 are already open, and we believe this supports customers in a much more flexible and sustainable model, in places where branch use has declined.

"Customers have a wide range of options to complete their banking including the Barclays app, telephone banking, online banking and video banking.

"Everyday transactions can be completed at any Post Office with the closest located at 31 London Road, Holmes Chapel. The nearest free-to-use ATM is Sainsbury's, located at 8-10 The Square, Holmes Chapel while the nearest Barclays branches are Northwich and Crewe."

The Holmes Chapel branch closes on Tuesday, June 27th and all customers will receive a letter from Barclays and posters will be displayed in the branch.

The spokesperson added: "We will be proactively engaging with local businesses and the wider community to discuss the alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally

"We will be offering virtual 'tea and teach' sessions for customers wishing to explore digital banking and other alternatives to branch based banking."

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The news comes after Barclays announced it's closing its Macclesfield branch in Market Place on April 14th as our sister site, Macclesfield Nub News revealed here: https://macclesfield.nub.news/news/local-news/barclays-announces-closure-of-macclesfield-bank-166665