Major UK bank vows it won't close anymore branches this year or 2026

Barclays has left the door open for further closures beyond 2026

Barclays has confirmed that it will not close down any more bank branches in 2025 or 2026.

During an annual general meeting last Wednesday, CS Venkatakrishnan, the bank's chief, said: "We don't have any plans to announce further bank branch closures in 2025 or 2026."

Yet, there is still a possibility for bank branch closures beyond 2026, as Chairman Nigel Higgins stated: "We want to see how the current branch strategy plays out."

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According to figures from Which? magazine, the high street banking giant has shut down 1,236 branches over the last decade. This includes the closure of 14 Barclays branches already in 2025, reports the Mirror.

Back in February 2024, Barclays confirmed the closure of 99 branches throughout 2024 and 2025.

That was in addition to the 177 branches it closed in 2023.

These come as a wider push to open banking hubs across the UK, with the 150th recently opening its doors.

These are offered through the Post Office, which will continue to offer basic banking services until 2030.

Major banks and building societies have signed a £1.75 billion contract to continue offering services at Post Office counters for at least the next five years, as the current deal was due to expire next year.

Gareth Oakley, chief executive of Cash Access UK, said: “The format of banking hubs is continually evolving as we learn from our experience.

“They may come in different shapes and sizes to best meet the needs of the community, but whatever their format, they all provide easy access to cash and banking services and a warm and welcoming customer experience.

“We’re pleased to work closely with Co-op for the first hub opening within a convenience store.

"It’s a great, convenient spot and naturally there is a lot of footfall into the shop.”

Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds, said: “Reaching this milestone of opening 150 banking hubs is a huge step towards reaching our target of opening 350 hubs by the end of this Parliament.”