Barclays to close, but staff will be based at community centre

Barclays Bank staff are to be based at Blackwood’s Libanus Lifestyle Centre, once the town’s branch closes.

Barclays, on High Street, will close permanently on March 22. According to information published by the banking giant, 88% of people who use the branch also banked using online or telephone services. It said 138 customers regularly use the branch as their only means of banking.

According to Barclays’ website, staff will be available to help customers at Libanus Lifestyle Centre, Libanus Road, Blackwood, from March 25, between Monday and Friday, 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4pm (although timings are subject to change).

There will be no cash service, but staff will be able to help people with their banking services.

Customers can drop-in, or make an appointment via the bank’s website.

As part of the arrangement, Barclays will be making a financial contribution to the not-for-profit community centre – helping to fund its work.

Karen James, from Libanus Lifestyle, said: “We have met the Barclays team and what a lovely group of people they are.

“We’re very excited to be working in partnership with them and look forward to welcoming their customers shortly. This has made a huge difference to us and with our future plans.

“We are very grateful for the support we have received in moving this forward from our local councillors Andrew Farina-Childs and Nigel Dix, and also deputy council leader Jamie Pritchard, who knew how much we needed to increase our income to keep on delivering our growing community projects. Thank you.”

Cllr Jamie Pritchard, deputy leader of Caerphilly County Borough, said: “As a council we are always looking to work with organisations to support residents, even when these services aren’t run by the council.

“I’d like to thank local councillors and Libanus Lifestyle for putting their heads together.”

Cllr Farina-Childs added: “It is great to see that Barclays Bank is staying in Blackwood by relocating to Libanus Lifestyle. This is good news for the community, and I hope that this arrangement goes from strength-to-strength.”