BARCLAYS Bank has announced it will be closing its Pickering branch next year.

The move follows the closure of the company's Malton branch last October and the imminent closure of the Helmsley bank in February.

Pickering branch, located at Market Place, Pickering, will close on or before Friday, January 17, 2025.

A Barclays spokesperson said: “As visits to branches continue to fall, with the majority of people preferring to bank online, we need to adapt to provide the best service for all our customers. This is reflected at Pickering, where we are delivering new ways to support our customers and the community with options for those who need in-person services.”

“In Pickering we plan to open a Barclays Local – a cashless banking site where customers can meet a colleague face-to-face for banking support, as they would in a branch and without the need to travel. We are currently working with the local community to identify a suitable location and will announce details once confirmed.”

The spokesperson added that only 27 regular customers use the Pickering branch exclusively for their banking and do not interact with us in other ways.

"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.

"We will be offering virtual digital support sessions for customers wishing to explore digital banking and other alternatives to branch based banking."

Kevin Hollinrake MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: "I know how disappointing this will be for residents and want to assure you I will ensure Pickering continues to have personal and business banking provisions. It is essential these are up and running before closure. I have been informed there are plans for a Barclays Local site set up for face-to-face provisions, prior to its closure next year. Link are assessing provisions for the town, which will likely come in the form of enhanced deposit facilities in the local Post Office.

Mr Hollinrake added that he had also met with Cllr George Jabbour, Allan Lewis & Nick Quin of Link to discuss the potential for a banking hub in Helmsley.

"Link are conducting an assessment for an access to cash review for Helmsley," he said,

"Please contact my office if you have any concerns or queries."