Hailsham loses a High Street bank

Barclays has announced that the Hailsham branch on Market Street will be closing February 5 2021 due to a change in customer habits according to a spokesperson from the bank.

The 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 Hailsham branch where there has been a 16 per cent reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020. In addition, 81 per cent of our customers at the branch are also using different ways to bank.”

Customers will now need to travel to either the Eastbourne or Heathfield branches as an alternative.

A spokesperson for Barclays said, “The role of the physical branch is evolving, with fewer than 10 per cent of transactions now taking place inside a branch.”

As a way of giving customers options after the branch closes, a number of alternative services have been offered. This includes mobile and online banking, video banking, and everyday transactions can also be completed in the Hailsham Post Office.

Barclays said, “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.”

In terms of employment, Barclays has said that staff from the branch will be offered alternative roles within the company.

Barclays also said it will be ‘proactively engaging’ with the wider community to discuss the alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally. Virtual ‘tea and teach’ sessions will be part of this initiative, which will allow customers to explore digital banking and other alternatives according to Barclays.