Barclays has announced that it will be permanently closing the doors to its Ryde branch later this year.
The Isle of Wight will be left with just a single branch, in Newport, when Ryde is closed on 4th August 2022.
An 84% downturn in customers using face-to-face banking facilities has been blamed for the decision, with counter transactions decreasing by 14% between March 2018 and March 2020.
It’s said that less than 80 customers now exclusively use Barclays in Ryde.
Customers will soon receive letters informing them of the decision, with some letters already landing on doormats today (Friday).
It was 5 years ago that Barclays closed its Shanklin branch.
A spokesperson for Barclays has said:
“The decision to close a branch is never an easy one. However, customers are increasingly using alternatives to branches to do their banking. As a result, we are seeing a sustained fall in branch visits across the UK.
Article continues below this advertisement “We will work with our customers and provide alternative options to ensure they can continue to manage their money and receive financial expertise when required.”
Maybe, just maybe if they had kept customer service people behind the counter and not gone down the automated / online route they would have needed to keep branches open.
I had to go into a branch the other day to open another account in my name because they wouldn’t allow it ‘online’, they didn’t recognise me as when I first registered with Barclays it was ‘pre digital’ only been with them for nearly 50 years, two mortgages etc, only took about three minutes with a young lady and a laptop but I still needed a branch to actually complete this.
What happens when there are no branches left?
Change banks.
Typical hypocrites we take away face to face banking then close the branch because nobody uses it. Barclays Bank should be ashamed of themselves
Although Barclays is probably the best out there when it comes to online/mobile banking and the closure won’t particularly affect me much, I do feel for the elderly/ vulnerable who can’t use alternative services.
Can someone who knows answer this for me- How will this affect small/medium traders who deal with a lot of cash? Normally such businesses would count up takings and deposit it in branch. Without a branch to deposit the money what do you do then? Surely it can’t be sustainable to be closing banks at such a rate as we are not a cashless society- yet.
Longer queues at post office! Can’t wait.
You can only pay cheques in at the post office. Cash has to be handed in over the counter in Newport and it is taken to the back office and counted later. And the counter is not manned on Saturdays. And they call this a service.
Simply not true.
No thought for the little old ladies, nor the big old ladies either
Don’t forget us little old men or is that too WOKE
And the big old men, got to be fully inclusive
If no one is a using High Street banks why is there always a queue when I go in?
It’s enough to give you a complex.
That is a very good point Sidney…The few branches, of any bank, anywhere are usually stuffed full of people with the reduced counter service available. The Banks simply want rid of the expensive High Street but blame the customers for not using them…Doh
Pity that it’s closing. I think the staff deserve a mention, very professional and courteous. Unfortunately branches are unprofitable, and unnecessary, as nearly everything (if not absolutely everything) can be done online now. If you can manage to post on here, you can manage an online banking app.
How rude! We’re posting on behalf of all little old people men and women big or small because they can’t you small minded person! Just cause your so clever using a device. Well done you! My old mum can’t use anything like this and all the local post offices have gone now too.
No cheques either. If your old you’re done for it seems. Still want your money though 🙁
They claim not enough face to face banking , I blame most of the bank staff for that everytime you go in they are encouraging you to use the machines. Many times I said no thank you I want someone to talk to.
I hate machines. Yes I know modern technology blah blah blah but I’m happier the old ways
What’s going to happen to to older people who have no knowledge or people like my husband who is partially sighted and rely on counter assistance. Have they thought of handicapped and disabled , of course not . Second class citizens obviously who have no choice but to try and conform.
I saw this coming when they went down to just two tellers, from four.. then down to just one.. now none. Why NEWPORT ? Why not keep Ryde branch and close NEWPORT branch ?? Why does everything have to be in dirty Newport. Awful place . Queues will be longer, ! very stupid idea, having all the eggs in one basket .. NEWPORT !
i agree with you. the tsb did the same a few years ago, and i had to make special trips to Newport just to pay in cheques. last time i was there i waited more than 10 mins at an empty front counter (while the staff were on the phone). got fed up and walked out. don’t accept cheques anymore, not worth the hassle.
I use the App on my phone to bank with Barclays and by and large it works well. However I wanted to ask a question about statements. I signed up for the advisor and duly asked my question. The message came back that it didn’t understand the question and could I re-phrase it using less words. I tried that but it then gave me an answer to a different question. Eventually the ‘robot’ on the other end said that in order to get an answer for my question I must visit a local branch!! so much for so called technology. Just to say I had my letter about Ryde closure 2 days ago.
THIS IS A DISGRACE AND THE GOVERMENT SHOULD STEP IN AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS THEY HAVE NO INTEREST IN CUSTOMERS ALL THEY WASNT IS THE MONEY AND PEOPLE TOO DO INTERNET BANKING SO THE DO NOT HAVE TOO PAY STAFF IN BRANCHES WHILE MAKING MILLIONS EVERY YEAR GEORGE FRENCH
Santander, TSB now Barclays!! That’s my bank. I’m in the wrong side of ‘young’ but not too old yet either. I still need to go into my branch to actually speak to a person as the online ‘bot’ has limited vocabulary and intelligence! It takes ages to get anywhere, if at all! What happens to the staff and their jobs? It’s unfair. St least open just a couple of days a week so vulnerable, less mobile people can get in to do their banking.
Why do we all have to go to flippin Newport!! We should all protest!
Another building that will stay empty for god knows how long! It will take a very brave person to start up a new business the way things are at the moment!