Barclays Bank to Close Next March

The Barclays Bank branch on Hart Street will close on Wednesday 2 March 2022.  However, they haven’t given official notice to the landlords.

This is the second bank branch to give notice to close this year.  Lloyds Bank on Reading Road gave notice in June and closed its doors on 14 October 2021.

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 Henley-on-Thames branch where there has been a 21 per cent reduction in counter transactions in the two years to March 2020. In addition, nearly nine out of ten (89 per cent) of our customers at the branch 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.”

Landlord Darren West said, “We are waiting for the official communication from Barclays. If they do leave our intention is to explore bringing the banking hall back to its former glory and provide a space for a variety of uses. The building has been under utilised by Barclays and we are investigating some exciting ideas. Until official word from Barclays its hard to comment further. Our preference is for Barclays to stay.”