Barclays Bank in Bermondsey ‘only has one regular customer’ as it closes half of its branches in Southwark
Barclays are closing two of it’s branches in Southwark, including one in Bermondsey which the bank claims only has one ‘regular customer’.
The shockingly figure came after the News asked the bank about the closures. A spokesperson said that just only one customer uses the Bermondsey branch exclusively and does not interact with the bank in any other way.
Barclays has announced they will be closing two of the four branches in Southwark, after seeing a drop in usage with most people doing all their banking online.
The Walworth branch on Walworth Road and the Bermondsey branch on Tower Bridge Road are both set to close in April, along with thirteen others across the UK.
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A Barclays spokesperson said: “Our customers’ behaviour has changed significantly in recent years, with the majority choosing online banking. As we adapt, we are closing less well-used branches such as Walworth and Bermondsey, Tower Bridge Road branches, whilst investing in brilliant customer service and digital technology.”
They claimed in total there are 15 regular customers that use the Walworth branch exclusively for their banking.
Across the two branches, they found that 96 per cent of customers are using alternative ways in which to undertake their banking, including via the telephone, online and the mobile app.
In light of the branch closures, they told the News that when the two branches close, they will open a community site – for customers who still want support in person.
“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 without the need to travel.”
They said they are in the process of trying to identify a suitable location and are working with the community to do so.
“Over 150 are already open, and we believe this supports customers in a much more flexible and sustainable model, in places where branch use has declined,” the spokesperson added.
The remaining two branches in Southwark are on Borough High Street and Rye Lane in Peckham.
Barclays is not the only bank to be closing branches. According to recent research done by Which? almost half of the UK’s bank branches are now gone.
Steve Lancashire, a member of Southwark Pensioners Action Group (SPAG) said this is hugely disappointing.
“These closures are outrageous. Older people and other people will suffer whilst banks continue to make huge profits,” the ex-councillor said.
The Walworth branch (260 Walworth Road, SE17 1JF) is set to close on April 13 and the Bermondsey branch (104/108 Tower Bridge Road, SE1 3NG) on April 19.
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