St Helens Borough Council has worked with Barclays bank to ensure a presence remains in St Helens Town Centre following the closure of its Church Street branch today (4 May).
Barclays will now operate out of the council-run Ways to Work employment and training centre in Church Square Shopping Centre, open Monday to Friday between 9:30am-4:00pm (closed 12:30pm-1:00pm for lunch).
Although no cash service will be available, staff will be on hand to help customers with everyday banking needs.
St Helens Borough Council Leader David Baines said: “The loss of bank branches from our country’s high streets is a great shame but reflects changing customer needs and behaviour. However, it is vital that all residents – including our most vulnerable and those who don’t or can’t use digital technology – have access to banking services and advice.
“We would prefer the Barclays Church Street branch to remain open, but the bank made clear that wasn’t an option and so we worked hard to persuade them to open a new customer hub in the town centre – and I’m delighted they’ve accepted our offer to move in the Ways to Work centre on Bridge Street alongside our education, jobs and training advice services.
I’d like to thank our Cabinet Member for Economy, Business and Skills Cllr Kate Groucutt and council officers for their hard work making it happen, and Barclays for working with us on this.”
For more information on Ways to Work, call into centre to chat to member of the team, or visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/waystoworkhub