Barclays Bank has revealed where customers can continue to meet and get support from staff when its branch in Cwmbran town centre closes on Thursday 20 October 2022.
The bank announced in July it was closing in Cwmbran. Councillors from Croesyceiliog and Llanyrafon Community Council wrote to Barclays to share the concerns of their constituents.
At their meeting on 26 September councillors expressed frustration that they had not had a response to their letter.
Councillor Stewart Matthews, Croesyceiliog North Ward, said that they should ask in the follow-up letter, “What it means by keeping it local?”
Councillor David Williams, Llanyrafon West, said that when Barclays announced the closure they said they would “consult with councillors, but nothing.”
Following the meeting Cwmbran Life contacted Barclays Bank for a comment on the community council not receiving a response to their letter. A spokesperson apologised and said they couldn’t find the letter (sent by email) but then contacted the community council to ask the clerk to send it again.
A few days later Cwmbran Life received this response. A Barclays spokesperson 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.
“This is reflected at the Cwmbran branch where there has been a 63% reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2022. In addition, 89% of our Cwmbran customers are also using different ways to bank.
“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. This includes working with the local community to find different, more flexible ways for our colleagues to continue to provide local banking support, such as through pop-up presences.”
The new ‘pop-up’ Barclays Bank in Cwmbran
The spokesperson emailed Cwmbran Life last Thursday and said:
“I am delighted to confirm that we have an alternative location in Cwmbran that will be manned by existing Barclays Cwmbran colleagues, and available to customers at:
The Olive Tree- Edlogan Way, Croesyceiliog
Opening hours- Monday to Wednesday 9.30am-4.30pm.
“Having this Barclays in the community location allows us to retain a presence in the Cwmbran community, and really be there to support our customers when they need to discuss a financial matter, have concerns, or seek reassurance around their finances.”
Advice for Barclays Bank customers in Cwmbran
-
- Customers can use the Barclays app, Telephone Banking, Online Banking and Video Banking
- Everyday transactions can be completed at any Post Office with the closest located at 11 The Mall, Cwmbran (inside WHSmith)
- The nearest (to the current Barclays Cwmbran branch) free-to-use ATM is at Lloyds Bank, 1 Gwent Square, Cwmbran.
- The closest Barclays branch is at Commercial Street, Newport and 52 Tredegar Street, Risca.
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