Barclays has announced it will be closing its Haltwhistle and Prudhoe branches later in the year.

The announcement comes from noticing the declining use of transactions taking place inside a branch.

The Haltwhistle branch will be closing on Friday, August 11 whereas the Prudhoe will be shut a few days later on Friday, August 18.

Customers will receive a letter, a decision to close document and there will also posters  displayed in branch, as well as colleagues on hand to assist customers with any concerns they may have.

Barclays will also be offering a virtual ‘tea and teach’ sessions for customers wishing to explore digital banking and other alternatives to branch based banking.

They have also announced that they will be engaging with local businesses and the wider community to discuss the alternative ways customers will be able to undertake their banking locally.

A Barclays spokesman said: “Our customers’ behaviour has changed significantly in recent years, with the majority now choosing online banking.  This is reflected at the Prudhoe and Haltwhistle branches, and as we adapt, we are finding new ways to support our customers by maintaining our community presence with options for customers who still require in-person support.”

“In both Prudhoe and Haltwhistle we plan to open a Barclays Local – a pop-up 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 suitable locations and will announce details once confirmed.”

Hearing the news about the closures, Cllr Gordon Stewart said: "I have been following details of bank closures nationally with great interest, I have asked for a meeting with a senior representative of the bank asap to see what provision there will be locally for our residents and businesses’

 Guy Opperman MP also adds: “I was disappointed when I received news of Barclays’ unilateral decision to close both Tynedale branches. I will continue to fight for access to branch banking facilities for our local community."

It is believed that a petition is being set up.