Barclays gives major update on future of UK branches 'around the country'

Barclays gives major update on future of UK branches 'around the country' The banking giant has explained how the future looks Barclays has made a major announcement on its plans for UK branches. It said it "continues to strengthen its presence in communities across the UK, as it announces investment in branches around the country as part of a broader programme to modernise and evolve its physical network". New branches will open in Poole and Bishops Stortford in September, with more openings planned before the end of the year, including in Beverley in November. The relocations and refurbishments take place alongside the continued rollout of Premier Suites and the introduction of smart ATMs, it said. Barclays said that, while "customers increasingly choose digital banking for everyday transactions", it recognised "that many of life's most important financial decisions still benefit from expert guidance and face-to-face support". It said the latest moves had been "informed by customer demand and growth opportunities" and were "designed to bring together the best of both worlds: the convenience of digital and self-service banking, alongside access to expert colleagues when customers need it most". The new branches in Poole, Bishop's Stortford and Beverley "reflect changing customer needs", Barclays said. Alongside self-service technology for routine transactions, they feature consultation rooms, private meeting spaces and access to specialist support for customers seeking advice on more complex banking needs or key life events. Barclays also said it had recently extended opening hours across its entire branch network, creating more than 60,000 additional hours of in-branch availability each year. Vim Maru, chief executive of Barclays UK, said: "The opening of our new branches in Poole, Bishops Stortford, and Beverley is another demonstration of our commitment to investing in communities across the UK and ensuring customers can reach our people when it matters most. “While customers increasingly choose digital banking for everyday transactions, we know that some of life's most important financial decisions, whether buying a home, planning for retirement or investing for the future, benefit from a personal conversation with one of our colleagues. These new branches have been designed around those moments, providing customers with access to specialist support, alongside the convenience of self-service and digital banking. "Our ambition is to give customers the best of both worlds: leading digital services for day-to-day banking and the expertise of our colleagues for more complex needs. "By bringing these together, we're creating a banking experience that offers greater choice, flexibility and confidence, however our customers choose to bank." [Image text:] 166 BARCLAYS