Barclays to close two Surrey branches as less than 10 customers use them – leaving one town with no bank

Barclays has announced it is closing two more branches in Surrey early next year, leaving one town without any bank at all. The banking giant claims less than 10 customers were regularly using the branches in Cobham and Farnham.

The first branch to go is Cobham, which will shut on Valentine’s Day (February 14). The town of more than 17,000 people has no other bank, meaning customers will have to go elsewhere to get a face to face service.

Two Sainsbury’s in the town have either an ATM or travel money counter but neither can offer the same services as a bank. From February 14, 2024, the nearest Barclays will be in either Walton upon Thames (just over five miles away) or Woking (nearly 8 miles). The company says that you can do most of your everyday banking online, or at a Post Office.

READ MORE: Former pub and ‘treasure trove’ Ashford Antiques Centre up for sale

READ MORE: Surrey White Christmas verdict by Met Office as latest forecast shows odds of snow

Cobham has two Post Offices, one on Hollyhedge Road (KT11 3DG) and the other in Station Road (KT11 3BN). Alternatively, there are cash points at Sainsbury’s (KT11 3DH) and the Esso Service Station (KT11 3AS). This means that customers who don’t want to bank online can still access some services in the town.

Barclays in Farnham is closing a week later on February 21. Unlike Cobham there are other banks/building societies in the town such as Santander and Nationwide, which customers could switch to if they want to stay within walking distance. Like in Cobham the advice to customers is to use nearby Post Offices to withdraw cash and pay cheques. In Farnham these are in Frensham Road (GU10 3PY) and The Borough (GU9 7NF).

In both towns Barclays say that over 90% of customers also banked online, by phone, or by app in 2022. However, Age UK has issued calls for more banking hubs in communities which have lost out, saying that older communities do not bank online.

In its announcements about the closures Barclays also claim that less than 10 customers use these branches regularly as their only form of banking. It suggests that those who have concerns or need help get in touch on 03457 345345 or contact Customer Care Director for West London & Berkshire at [email protected] .

The Barclays closures are the latest to affect the county after nine banks have shut in Surrey since May.

Get more news from SurreyLive straight to your inbox for free here.