Blackburn Barclays bank closure will make life difficult, customers say

The bank said it planned to "open a Barclays Local" to replace its Blackburn branch

The closure of a Barclays branch in a town centre will "make life extremely difficult", its customers have said.

The bank said its Darwen Street site in Blackburn would close at noon as part of its "need to adapt to provide the best service for all our customers".

It said it would be replaced by a "a cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support".

Some local account holders said they were disappointed by the closure.

Local resident Malika said she did not agree with the move, as there were "plenty of people who are not so highly educated" in the town, who needed the "kind help" of the branch staff.

Blackburn vicar Father Nicholas Heale, whose church uses the branch, said it was "going to make like extremely difficult for us".

"Arranging all of the appropriate formalities to continue functioning is extremely hard," he added.

'Not much choice'

Alan, whose wife uses the bank, said face-to-face banking in the area was becoming harder all the time.

"I don't live in Blackburn, I live in Chorley, but there's no branch in Chorley," he said.

He said the closure meant there was "only one branch" left and "that's Preston".

"You can do it online, but it's a nightmare. You don't know if they are scammers," he said.

However, account holder Phillip said he could understand the decision, adding that it was "the way of the world these days".

"They're trying to reduce their overheads and people aren't using the branches, so there's not much choice," he said.

Many customers said they hoped a banking hub, which allowed account holders from all major banks and building societies to carry out cash transactions and speak to a representative about more complicated issues, would be set up in the town.

Lancashire's first such hub opened in Barnoldswick in March, while two others, in Darwen and Great Harwood, remain under development.

A Barclays representative said it planned to "open a Barclays Local" in Blackburn to replace the Darwen St branch, whcih they said would offer "cashless banking" and an opportunity for customers to "meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support".

"We are currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location and will announce details once confirmed," they added.