RESIDENTS are reminded to be prepared for upcoming closures of banks in two Tynedale towns this month.

Earlier this year, Barclays announced it was closing its Haltwhistle and Prudhoe branches this month.

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

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

Despite petitions set up by councillors and members of the public - closures will still go ahead.

Instead of a branch - Prudhoe Barclays Local will be set up and based at the Spetchells Centre, 58, Front Street, Prudhoe. Launching on Monday, August 14, the hours of business will be Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 9.30am – 12.30pm then 1pm to 4pm.

It is understood that Guy Opperman MP and Councillor Gordon Stewart will officially launch the Prudhoe Barclays Local on Friday, August 25 at 11am.

The Haltwhistle site has not been confirmed.

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.”