The recent announcement that Barclays intended to close their Church Street branch in May has caused a lot of worry for many residents. In response to the news, Council Leader David Baines wrote to the bank to ask for an urgent meeting to discuss the decision and future provision for customers.

Now, Cllr Baines has provided the following update:

“Myself, Councillor Kate Groucutt and senior St Helens Borough Council officers have just met with Barclays UK representatives who accepted my invitation to discuss their recent decision to close the #StHelens town centre branch.

They unfortunately confirmed there was no chance of the branch staying open, but:

 We’ve secured a commitment to a new ‘Barclays Local’ offering face to face services (excluding cash transactions) for the same current branch hours (930-330 Mon-Fri). Customers needing help with face to face cash transactions will be able to use the town centre post office in Church Square Shopping Centre.

We are going to work with Barclays to find a town centre venue in the short term, and long term we will work together to find a permanent base as part of town centre regeneration plans.

We also discussed with them the need for better communication with customers about the changes, particularly the elderly and vulnerable.

It’s not ideal – we’d like the branch to stay open as it is – but it’s the best possible outcome for Barclays customers and the town centre.”