Barclays Hyde set to close

Barclays have announced that they’re set to close their Hyde branch at the end of May.

The bank, on Market Street, is scheduled to close on Friday 29 May and they say they’ve taken the decision as “customers are increasingly using other ways to do their everyday banking” and that transactions at the branch have declined by more than a fifth over the last two years.

The Arcades Shopping centre in Ashton or Hollins Lane in Marple arena the next closest branches for Hyde residents to visit. They say that “everyday transactions” - including paying in cheques, depositing cash and balance enquiries can be carried out at Post Office branches.

In a letter to the local MP Jonathan Reynolds they said: “We do not take the decision to close any branch lightly and we are committed to adhering to the UK Access To Banking Standard.

All of our customers will receive a letter, our decision to close document and posters will be displayed in brach and colleagues will be on hand to assist customers with any concerns they may have.

“We will be proactively engaging with local businesses and the wider community to discuss the alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally, before the branches close on Friday 29 May 2020.”

Writing on Facebook, Jonathan Reynolds MP said: “I am angry and extremely disappointed by this email announcing the closure of Barclays branch in Hyde. I will be asking for further evidence to justify move, which is yet another unwelcome blow for shoppers and businesses in Hyde. I was proud that Labour’s manifesto would have obligated banks to carry out meaningful community consultation BEFORE any decisions about bank closures would be take. It is disappointing the Tory government continue to allow access to high street banking to collapse.”